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On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I am wondering how many of you are growing in anything less than full sun? Maybe some trees near your garden? Do all of you have full sun? My garden is old and the nearby trees have grown. I am thinking they may have to get gone. Are you certain your plants get adequate sunlight for a real winner?

7/21/2020 9:39:03 AM

Lebanon, Oregon

Full sun all day except early evening where it goes behind the trees. My three five gallon plants look better and have produced better in the small greenhouse I have. I think diffused sun would be better than full sun. It would depend on your latitude also. I would prefer overcast skies or green house rather than full sun.

7/21/2020 10:07:50 AM

Central NY

Wilson was in the sun 830am-4 pm

7/21/2020 10:21:58 AM

Grittyville, WA

Tree roots are a bigger issue than the tree tops. I will wager you cant grow a wr when competing with tree roots.

7/21/2020 10:30:36 AM

North Of The Border

Tomatoes do like a lot of sun, but most plants only require 8 hours, at most of sun, so even adding a few hours, for growing it giant, you shouldn't be needing full sun from sunrise, at 5-6, all the way till sunset, 8-9, because 14-16 hours of sun would be almost twice what they need as a minimum.

7/21/2020 1:14:44 PM

Norfolk, UK

I’m less than full sun, but have pulled multiple 5lbs and a 6lb-er from the plot. I’m restricted on where I can grow, as it has to be in a greenhouse here - and I’m some shade down one side from fence neighbours and bushes if neighbours that need to be trimmed.

This year, I’ve used a little supplemental light on shouldwe if day light on the shaded side, during vegetative side.

There is tho, a balance - and whilst I can’t talk for WR sizes - I’m not sure it’s entirely a disadvantage for at least a good size. Likely related to growing days that lower the average 24 hour temps might bring.

I’ve pulled 5.2 lb at 60 DAP, my 6.11 lb at 68 DAP and - at end of season with a super late pollination (end August) - harvested a 5.57 Domingo, still green, on dap 82.(http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=311091)

7/21/2020 4:33:30 PM

I have two 5 gallon buckets on my front patio and they get all eastern sun. 5.3 McCoy and 5.44 Young in green plastic buckets. One has fruits and both plants seem healthy. My other two on the east are in black grow bags and are much better. These are Wellingtons. I also have two on the same patio on the opposite side and they get all western sun. 3.83 Porkchop and 4.79 Sandercock are in much larger pots. These look good, but no fruits. This year, I am also growing one along a backyard fence without any full sun and the plant looks pretty good. 5.44 Young in a black grow bag.

7/21/2020 8:12:19 PM

Bethlehem CT

I have noticed that plants in my garden seem unaffected by some afternoon shade. Perhaps 3pm on doesn't seem to make a difference. It actually provides some heat stress relief in some of the hottest hours of the day. Morning shade is not as good, plants stay cool wet and damp longer.

7/22/2020 7:14:07 AM

Bethlehem CT

I think Porkchop's response says it all. A world record tomato grown with less than full sun.

7/22/2020 7:16:43 AM

Bloomington, IN USA

My plants are pretty much full sun.
I’m thinking shade starting at 4 pm would be advantageous on days with temps in the upper 80s & higher.

7/26/2020 5:26:32 PM