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Sandyutahusa

I have always used a hoop and tarp cover over my pumpkins. I would like to know more about the white sheet method. What is the advantage? Does this protect the pumpkin from the effects of the sun? I have a problem every year with early ripening and maturation. Will white sheet coverage help prevent this problem? Thanks

7/24/2008 8:55:10 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Yes, but it won't stop hail from potential leaving marks on the fruit. If they get wet, you have to take them off so no mildew issues arise too.

7/24/2008 11:05:39 AM

Washington

We used to build hoop structures with tarps over our pumpkins but changed to sheets many years ago. We don't usually get hail so don't need to protect for that. The advantage is we don't have to build structures and it is much easier to measure and do maintainance with out the stucture getting in the way. We use light colored or white sheets. We don't take them off when they get wet, the moisture might help keep the skin flexible. We position them so that the stem and blossom are open to air.

7/24/2008 11:25:01 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

the sheets wicking action of the water and quick drying is probably better then having the water drops all over the pumpkin when the sun comes out...it drys evenly without sun burn spots from the drops magnification.

7/24/2008 12:35:39 PM

Midwest

And, if it's soake with calcium, the soaked sheet acts like a Ca blanket... But, those earwigs like to hide under that sheet.

7/24/2008 1:54:08 PM

No Place Special

I echo what Sherry LaRue said exactly. I have a pumpkin covered with a calcium sheet at this very moment! Its big enough now that I really need to get a second sheet just to keep it all covered.

7/24/2008 2:51:24 PM

Lloydminster/AB

polar fleece, but keep it quiet!

7/24/2008 7:57:24 PM

Buffalo, New York

i bought some white twin size vinyl mattress covers today for $3 each, will cut each in half and have 4.

each peice will be about 50" x 60", big enough for my fruit.

it is waterproof but you can see your hand through it so i may put a sheet down underneath them to help with sunblock more.

7/24/2008 8:17:38 PM

St. Thomas Ontario

I'd be careful of the plastic there Jer, that might warm up under there, not to mention may speed up ripening by trapping gas.

7/24/2008 8:35:20 PM

Cottage Grove, MN

And also wind burn, the cover moving around in the wind will damage the skin of the punk. I lost one last year this way.

7/24/2008 8:44:26 PM

[email protected]

I agree, don't use plastic or in Jeremy's case vinyl. Traping moisture or gases between the cover and the pumpkin can only cause bad things, in my opinion.

I've been using hospital curtains and they work great. They're heavier than bed sheets, I really like them. I also have some white sheets and they work fine as well. When the fruits are small I use white bath towels. Don't use dark colored towels. I've had fruits develop hard spots on top, like when exposed to the sun, from using dark colored towels. The light colored towels have never caused this. I don't usually take the covers off the fruits until late in the season. I pull the sides up after it rains to allow the blossom end and stem to dry, but keep the rest of the fruit covered.

7/24/2008 9:31:51 PM

Buffalo, New York

ok, i wont use the vinyl sheets unless i build a structure, so for just laying something on the pumpkin, bed sheets are okay?

anything else good besides bed sheets? if the bed sheets get wet, it is ok?

7/24/2008 10:03:54 PM

[email protected]

I don't see it being a problem. The only things I'd keep an eye on are the stem and blossom ends. Keeping them wet all the time can lead to problems. You may need to use some fungicides and/or come up with a way to keep them dry. This is a problem more with the stem than the blossom, but watch both areas. Keeping the skin of the fruit wet while its growing could help to make it more elastic, which I would say is a good thing.

sl said above that she and Jack position theirs so the blossom and stem are left open. I cover the entire fruit including the stem and blossom. I think covering them can help keep them healthier as long as they aren't wet all the time. If they do get wet then I pull the sides of the covers up to expose those areas so they can dry. I also spray the stems and blossoms of my pumpkins with contact fungicides, daconil and mancozeb, about once a week.

7/24/2008 10:17:55 PM

porterville, calif.

I started using sheets about 3 years ago. They allow the plants to breath. With the heat i get here i need that. When I us the misters and the wind is blowing a little I don,t have to worry about plants being to wet. I do use the PVC canopy to help shade the plants. It is a little hard to get in and work on the plants. I found that plastic and vinyl just keeps plants to hot and doesn,t allow much air movement.

7/24/2008 11:09:01 PM

Monrovia, CA

Same here, white sheets over a pvc hoop structure. I used to use tarps as well....WAY too hot. I also leave the stem and blossom end open, with a 'front door' to keep the afternoon sun out. A mister resides right outside this structure.

7/24/2008 11:37:49 PM

Sandyutahusa

thanks for all the good answers. Now it's time to hit the sheets.

7/25/2008 9:16:50 AM