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Hudsonville, Michigan (michiganpumpkins@sbcglobal.net)

After the early thread regarding use of foil, I did a comparison of a thermal warming blanket (those thin poly silver blankets they give out after marathons, or you can buy them at camping supply stores) vs. a traditional blanket (mine was a twin sized comforter, pretty thick) for overnight use.
With the comforter, the 6am air temp was 60ºF, under the comforter, on top of the fruit was 66º.
The night before, with the thermal blanket, the 6 am air temp was 58º and under the blanket, on top of fruit was 68º.

So the thermal blanket held more heat. It was also wet under the thermal blanket, since it does not absorb moisture. The comforter was damp but it absorbed the moisture. So if you go with the thermal blanket to hold more heat, I'd be diligent in the morning about taking it off so your fruit stays dry.....

Frank

8/26/2005 7:13:40 AM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

Hi Frank: Good comparison. I have been covering my pumpkins with a sleeping bag and tarp since tusday. I think I will pick up a couple of those thermal blankets this weekend and give them a try.

8/26/2005 7:21:25 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

I'm playing around with the idea of a mesh or net layer between the pumpkin and foil,Like a giant string vest.

Another possible advantage of these thermal/foil/space/emergency blankets could be stopping hotspots developing on the top of fruit when the sun is shining on them by reflecting suns heat away,I just use a cotton sheet on the fruit for shading when its hot and I think it will help that method.

8/26/2005 7:53:05 AM

Hudsonville, Michigan (michiganpumpkins@sbcglobal.net)

FYI, for what it's worth, there's a related thread going on the general discussion board that gets into the hypothesis that we are trapping ethylene gas with our nighttime covers, which would be a bad thing. If that's the case, the thermal blankets would probably be more efficient at trapping that, too...I don't think I'd use it 24/7, only at night.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=129941

8/26/2005 9:11:47 AM

Western NY

i have one of those infrared thermometers [for work] which works great for spot checking the skin temp on pumpkins. i've found sheets over a layer of old clothes works good too if thats what you have.

eythelene.....hmmm.......charcoal - type covering as part of the insulation? any chemists here?

8/26/2005 9:17:21 PM