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Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Hi all, a few weeks ago I was wondering ways to prevent our worst enemy the blossom end split. It can be caused by two things skin expanding to fast or where the blossom goes in the weight pressing down causes the split for the first way I think the only way is using a seee that tends to grow slower but longer like the 2641 Paton. For number 2 it would be growing blossom down (Cinderella) but that leaves you with two more problems: not seeing the blossom and it pressing on the ground so for that my idea was putting the pumpkin when ~15 pounds on a pallet under a plywood with a hole by the blossom with sand on it. Then you can slide a camera under to see and no bloat pressing agtthe skin. Maybe the pumpkin slides weirdly or something but I don’t think so. Any thoughts?

7/27/2026 9:39:28 AM

Grittyville, WA

Its a bit controversial as to whether blossom down is the solution to any problems. They can still split. But its a bit of a misconception to say all the weight is on the blossom end. By day 40 the weight is well distributed around the sides. I've slept well at night. A couple times that I've grown this way and I've put them on a thick layer of sand and had a small tunnel through the sand under the bottom where I can reach under and feel the blossom end. I did this just out of curiosity, to monitor whatever might go wrong. I've never felt anything other than dry pumpkin and a healthy blossom nub underneath. I've also created two small holes and blown a fan under the kin but that was more an experiment to try to boost the thickness it wasn't really necessary.

[Last edit: 07/28/26 3:41:48 PM]

7/28/2026 3:40:50 PM

Grittyville, WA

In short what you are describing is very possible, I did almost exactly that setup. I didn't have a sleuth camera, but I did already know what to feel for when I stuck my arm under the kin.

Lastly the stats on end splits are no better or worse. I know Cindy had a big one split and that maybe discouraged her as it would discourage anyone. I've had one split but maybe 5 or 6 make it.

7/28/2026 3:45:38 PM