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Casa Grande, AZ

Well up till about a month ago Ive had nothing but 80's and 90's. I finally got my first female to set......Then the arizona sun came and popped her very hot head out. Its now 112!! My first pumpkin was almost doubling in size but now seems to grow at a very slow pace. First I am covering as much of the vine as I can with a umbrella( specially the pumpkin). Still seems to have slow growth. I am also putting a few frozen gallon containers of water close to the pumpkin. I water every day, usually at night because if i do it in the morning the ground wont stay moist for long. Am i doing the right things? I do cover the vines as they grow with mulch and every 2 weeks lay a little steer manure around the patch. I do have 3 watermelon vines that are just loving the heat, and producing.

6/19/2008 11:56:17 PM

California High Desert CinnamintStick@msn.com

I would try misters. I am not as hot as you but they seem to really help. You can leave them on all day if you have sandy soil. A small kit is about $19.

6/20/2008 9:31:32 AM

Casa Grande, AZ

Thanks Carol. I seem to ask the same question but just in different ways. The only thing I havent tried is a mist system!!!!!

6/20/2008 11:48:43 PM

California High Desert CinnamintStick@msn.com

I think the mister will help you with evaporation and you won't need to shade them. Our humidity is just way to low.

Have you read Pumpkin Bens Diary from last year? http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=66040

I would try not to water at night to cut down on fungus and disease.

6/21/2008 10:17:46 AM