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Midwest

I've seen many posts about covering the pumpkin during the evening. I assume that there's some connection to growth during the evening - which is when pumpkins do their most growing. Is there any practical benefit of this practice? Pumpkins must heat up some during the day. I imagine they get at least air temperature, maybe less. But, does anyone know how much? More to the point, throwing a blanket over it at night, or on a cool day, does this actually keep it from radiating much heat? What is the best temperature to keep the AG? Greg

8/26/2005 2:52:46 PM

ipswich, ma usa

Heat does help the growth and to answer your question directly I couldnt answer what the optimal temp is. We cover our pumpkins not just to continue them growing by keeping the trapped heat in but more to not allow a vast temperature change within the pumpkin that may help stress the pumpkin leading to a split. I cover with two wool style blankets then a comforter. I'm less worried about the amount of heat kept in the pumpkin but more with the range the pumpkin heat stays in. I also start back up my heating cable around the first week in Sept. We water every day about 50 to 80 gallons from a well and that water is cold!! The ground temp does not heat up as much in the day light as it did mid July which drops it's temp greatly. So we compensate this temp loss with our heating cables.

John (5150)

8/26/2005 3:32:32 PM

Midwest

I was wondering if the pumpkins radiate alot of heat at night? I mean, their absorbing sunlight all day and the sun must heat up the inside. There's this huge cavity filled with water,filaments,etc... It must get warm in there. It's like getting into my car. It's much warmer than outside. But, the thick walls must be better insulators than glass and steel. I'm wondering if a blanket can do much at all?
Greg

8/27/2005 12:30:59 AM

Montoursville, PA

The pumpkin makes it's major fruit growth when air temperatures are between seventy five degrees and ninety degrees.

Possibly more important heat swings consideration is in the soil where the action really takes place. Heat swings, and moisture swings are closely related. The major controlling factors are greatly supported by a good mulch. Every critter, in your biological ballance, can be more productive with a more study heat and moisture content. Mulch is natures blanket. I know of no instance where mother places a mulch on the fruit that grows above the ground. Most above the ground fruit care involves removal, of vegetative cover, to increase air movement.

8/27/2005 7:32:35 AM

Midwest

So, what it sounds like you're saying is; most optimum temperature of the soil is 75-90 degrees. So, if the vines or pumpkins are lower than 75 degrees is not a major factor of growth. Hence, the water in the pumpkin, vines and leaves are the regulating factor that keeps the temperature steady. Therefore, covering the pumpkin at night will not make such a vast improvement in growth. Is that correct? I imagine that transpiration at night is not a factor?
Greg

8/28/2005 7:15:17 PM