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Lake Elmo, Minnesota

My patch gets probably 60% of a full days sun. Always had trouble getting over a 400 pound pumpkin. Soil tests done and proper amendments have been made. What is the general opinion on percentage of sunlight and eventual pumpkin weight. Seems I've heard of 1,000 pound pumpkins grown in 50% sunlight (meaning it is exposed to sunlight 50% of time from dawn to dusk)

12/31/2009 1:50:15 PM

Jericho Vermont

Andy,
I have about the same amount of sun exposure as you have and I feel it is defiantely a detractor from overall size. The one thing I would suggest is to just worker a little bit harder than everyone else in terms of soil balance, keeping up with your pruning and weeding. If my plants see 25-30% less sun than other growers I need to keep my plants healthier and happier. I also bury the secondaries but do keep the main exposed (I like to keep a constant eye on the main). Watch your ferts as well. In my opinion folks have a tendancy to over feed and "under" care for their plants.
Best of Luck!
John

12/31/2009 2:06:05 PM

Coventry R.I.

I have the same problem here,,, as John you might no. Andy I,ve gone from 230 lbs to 600lbs this year,,,I do everything here that,, the guys here do and use most of the same stuff,,, The sun is my biggest problem for sure. Each year I cut down more trees,,,,,lol

12/31/2009 6:22:38 PM

43.841677 , -79.086692

As a new grower I worry about the amount of shade I have. Then I wonder how a new Canadian record and the 3rd biggest of all time was grown this summer considering we had less sun this year than in the last 50.... It rained all summer.

1/1/2010 10:11:10 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Chris, just venturing a guess?? The needed rays of the sun ( the one's that pass thru the clouds)...but not thru the trees, shading yer patch??? Peace, Wayne

1/3/2010 2:23:10 AM

Anchorage, Alaska

Clouds block up to 20% of the rays, whereas your trees absorb tons and tons of the blue and green light your pumpkins demand.

1/3/2010 3:35:35 PM