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Location

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Date Posted

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

The weather here has been HOT HOT HOT! Over 100 for several days in a row. My "keeper" so far is C=20 and 0TT of 51. Not superb but good for a first timer.

I haven't cut back the leaf, but have cut off the tertiary. When do I start to shade it? I hear talk of "cooking" the pumpkin. Since I haven't shaded it yet, I guess it could have cooked in the 100 degree days. However size seems okay. I will monitor for 10 more days and see.

Sooo....when to shade?

7/11/2006 11:35:13 PM

Lexington, Ky

I recently asked this same question....general concensous is to shade once the fruit outgrows the leaf canopy.

7/12/2006 3:08:54 PM

Deer Park WA

We try to shade the pumpkin from the moment it emerges in the vine tip to harvest using a white sheet and later erecting a shade structure over the fruit.

7/12/2006 3:19:06 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Wow, that is a lot of shade. I don't have nearly that much time to cover every one I pollinate. Maybe once I get a good sized one, and dream of the 1500 pounder, I will do more. LOL

Thanks

7/13/2006 2:09:31 AM

Rhode Island

small sheets first
once you find your keeper and the fruit is above the canopy as 1320 mentioned you can build a shade structure over the fruit.
many good growers uses a sheet year round. we prefer to put up a shade structure once the fruit is 2 to 300 pounds. helps keep the stem amd area around the pumpkins free from splashing rain ,etc.
plus excess heat can have an ill effect on the young pumpkins skin. (why we also sheet )

pap

7/13/2006 6:00:52 AM

Wilmington.Ma.

I cut the bottom off a 5 gal.bucket,than cut the bucket in half. I use this after I pollenate,and until it get's beach ball size. Than use a tent.Works for me!
George

7/13/2006 3:21:28 PM