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Title: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: SueK on May 26, 2009, 16:37:10

Hello all,
I've a summer squash outside which has developed a split in the stem. It is still developing healthy-looking leaves and flowers and I've noticed on other gardening forums that some people with similarly-afflicted plants have been "mending" with tape and letting the plants continue; but my gut instinct is to replace with a healthy specimen.

...What would you all do?...

Best regards
Sue

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: saddad on May 26, 2009, 16:43:38

If you have a healthy replacement use it... you can bury the stem to beyond the split, it works sometimes... :-\

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: manicscousers on May 26, 2009, 17:06:52

I tried that, last week, it had been chewed through a bit by a slug, covered it up and it died

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: saddad on May 26, 2009, 17:17:21

:'( hence, sometimes... :'(

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 26, 2009, 17:48:46

I've often had squash with longitudinal splits and they've carried on quite happily.

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: Kea on May 26, 2009, 18:03:22

I've had it happen frequently and it hasn't been a problem.......tape it up to make it stronger.

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: amphibian on May 26, 2009, 21:46:38

I've often had splits, it isn't necessarily the end of the road.

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: anemone on May 26, 2009, 23:11:30

I had one last year, taped it up and it was fine :)

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: 1066 on May 27, 2009, 06:51:02

Hi
This has happened to a courgette and 2 of my pumpkins, the courgette has definitely recovered as I just shoved, sorry covered the split with compost, don't know the verdict on the pumpkins yet. But what kind of tape? And wouldn't the stem of the plant get too thick for the tape?
1066

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: luckydog on May 29, 2009, 10:37:53

Quote from: 1066 on May 27, 2009, 06:51:02
But what kind of tape? And wouldn't the stem of the plant get too thick for the tape?
1066

I was wondering what tape to use aswell. Any ideas please? ???

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: Hector on May 29, 2009, 17:21:14

What about Micropore (as it still breathes)

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: daileg on May 29, 2009, 18:30:54

was just reading up on google some people sugest use band aides as they can be replaced when needed without damage to the plant there is a artical that sugest he used them on Tomato plants would have thought would have more success with a squash/ pumkin in that case

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: 1066 on June 01, 2009, 06:46:47

Thanks for the info. So far I've managed to bury the split stem in soil, but had a look at it yesterday and it still hasn't "healed" but the plant seems ok, so I think for now I'll leave it alone

1066

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on June 01, 2009, 10:57:11

They don't heal, but the plant continues to grow normally as long as the wound isn't too bad.

Title: Re: Summer squash with small split in stem: what would you do?
Post by: 1066 on June 01, 2009, 11:30:03

Thanks for the info Robert, I think I'll also peg them down a bit when I finally plant them out, and hopefully they'll thrive

1066

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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: SueK on May 26, 2009, 16:37:10