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Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Just looking to get other grower's opinions on whether it is a good idea to shade your fruit so that it gets no sun, or whether it is better to let it get some evening sun so that it is taking some heat into the overnight hours...which do you prefer?
Frank

8/22/2005 9:33:15 AM

ipswich, ma usa

Once the night temps are forecast to be 65 and under the growers in my area let the pumpkins "warm up" a bit in the afternoon sun then blanket them at night. Most fruit are now getting older and can handle a bit more sun. It's good to keep the temp up in the pumpkin to be able to keep packing on the punds.

John (5150)

8/22/2005 10:16:25 AM

Canada

Agree for the past 10 days ive been keeping my pumkin
open to the sun for the entire day then as the sun moves away in the afternoon ive been covering it up with a white blanket to keep the fruit somewhat warmer dureing the night as temps have been between 50-60 and she still seems to be growing well

Dave

8/22/2005 1:01:23 PM

Rhode Island

from early september on we take the shade off our competition fruit on sunny days then blanket and lay a tarp over the blanket at night
works well to hold the heat in a while longer

of course if your still doing 18 or better a day by the end of the first week in sept id seriously consider a heated quickie green house over the fruit and parts of the plant

for the cold days and every night its under 60

8/22/2005 7:23:21 PM

Canada

what parts of the plant would be best to keep warmer then others as Myself Covering the entire plant in a greenhouse is not possible, I currently cover my fruit with a white blanked and it seems to help, Nights have gotten really COOL this week as tonight its going down to the 50's and is going to be cool all week. Would pretty much all the plant from the stump out to the fruit be the part youd want to see kept warmer on cool nights?

8/22/2005 8:37:48 PM

Monrovia, CA

Would an electric blanket on the lowest setting help?

8/23/2005 11:13:27 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

as long as it doesn't set on fire, yes.

8/24/2005 6:00:12 AM