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Location

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Date Posted

San Jose

It appears an inverted styro cooler with frozen water bottles changed frequently worked. DAP is 8 days old and pumpkin is a little larger than a softball. Am I out of the woods, or can it still abort?

7/10/2023 12:22:51 PM

Grittyville, WA

I think they can be poorly pollinated and still reach football size. You're gonna want it bigger than a football by DAP 10-15. Then you assume you're over that hurdle & onto the next one.

7/10/2023 2:43:44 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

It can still abort. But as long as it is still shiny, you are good.

7/10/2023 3:30:18 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Agree with Little Kins and Kevin, but 8DAP is more out of the woods than 2 DAP! Kepp the plant cool and hope she stays shiny.

7/10/2023 5:59:33 PM

San Jose

Thanks Kins, Kevin, Luke,
Pumpkin is now 12 days, looking shiny, very round, and size
of smallish bowling ball (1552 Young seed) So far so good!

7/14/2023 11:22:22 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Keep that shine!

7/14/2023 5:18:45 PM

Georgia

Kurt/gus, is your pumpkin done with the cooler. I would assume that it would be tough to use frozen bottles when your pumpkin gets to the size of pumpkin.

Cojoe, if you are still following, I would be interested in knowing how long you keep you using ice and if in your experience their is a feel good date. Of course, anything can happen at anytime. But just in your experience, at what point in the terms of days, do you find that pumpkins can take 90 degree heat fairly well.

7/14/2023 9:27:11 PM

Colorado

I only use ice on that ist day. I keep the plant very well watered for three days.

7/14/2023 9:43:01 PM

San Jose

Yes,I only used the frozen water bottles for one day per
Joe's advice--everything seemed to work perfectly. Good
water and no fertilizer for a few days now.

7/14/2023 10:20:17 PM

Georgia

Thank you both. Good stuff.

7/14/2023 10:37:50 PM

San Jose

Orange, also I always keep a small lightweight white sheet
over the pumpkin, pretty much throughout it's whole life.
Keeps it cooler, prevents sun scald, and maybe deters
critters a little.

7/15/2023 12:45:08 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Kurt, I was under the impression it also delays maturing as well.

Where are those Arizona growers when we need them. Phoenix 5 day forecast is 117, 116, 115, 116 and 116F. Those guys basically had their own growing season and were pollinating in early January to beat the heat. They had the heat thing mastered.

7/15/2023 1:46:31 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I meant starting seeds in early January

7/15/2023 1:47:02 PM

San Jose

Now at 17 days DAP, pumpkin is size of a beach ball, shiny, and still looking good. I think I'm ok to cull my only other pumpkin choice (cantaloupe size). Agree? Or should I wait a few more days?

7/19/2023 12:33:18 PM

Westmoreland, KS

i cut mine off when my keeper is at dap 10 so i would say dap 17 it is go time..."Shit or get off the pot!"

7/19/2023 12:44:10 PM