From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Pembroke, Ma

How long do you wait until providing shade for the pumpkins. I have one that is about the size of a basketball and I'm not sure if it should be covered.

7/13/2010 12:08:02 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

What would be the reason to wait? Throw a sheet over it right now. If anything you'd be uncovering it later in the year to ripen and color it up.

7/13/2010 12:11:34 PM

Pataskala,OH

Shade it

7/13/2010 12:13:36 PM

Honeoye Falls New York

Is there such a thing as too much shade? I have a shade cloth folded over twice over mine. Is that too much?

7/13/2010 12:22:29 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Rich, I have been shading mine before they were set. It will help the female set better and prevent the skin from hardening prematurely letting for optimal growth.

I am not for sure, but I'd bet you want some air circulation Big Ange.

7/13/2010 12:38:54 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Shade it right away and check it often. Don't forget rich to keep the pumpkin clean and wash it every week with a weak solution of bleach and water. I wash it with some anti bacterial soap and rinse with a solution of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water. Then I hand dry it. I've never had a problem doing this but go lightly on the bleach because the bleach will kill the good stuff to so use caution. but start shading now.....a white sheet will do you right.

7/13/2010 12:50:52 PM

Pembroke, Ma

So I should just lay a white cloth right over the pumpkin? Once I figure out which one I'm giong to keep I should build a perminite cover?

7/13/2010 1:40:47 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Just cover them up with a white sheet. Making a structure is a waste of time a white sheet will reflect the light and is easy to take off and dry. You have enough to worry about. Keep it simple and easy while getting the best results.

7/13/2010 1:52:46 PM

Pembroke, Ma

I can't keep up with this thing as it is. I've created a monster that I don't have the knowledge to keep up with. Thing is growing like two feet a day in all directions with pumpkins poping up everywhere. I've just been pollenating the ones on the main vine, but at least there/four a day have been popping up on the secondarys. Has been a minimum of two hours a day pruning and taking care of this thing. doesn't even include the time my sons plant has been taking. Oh boy

7/13/2010 2:07:41 PM

Fresno, CA

I have overhead fine-spray misters and regularly 100+ daytime temps. I am assuming under those conditions I should have a tarp/structure to protect pumpkin from sun and water. Am I wrong? Should I use the white sheet treatment too?

7/13/2010 2:49:16 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

You should use what works best for you. I like the white sheets because their easy and cheap to use which allows me to spend more time on other things.

7/13/2010 11:07:08 PM

Washington

We put a laundry basket over the pumpkin once we have set it and cover the basket with a pillow case or small cloth. When the pumpkin is getting close to outgrowing the basket, we just put a small sheet on it. The basket helps keep birds from pecking at the small fruit as well as lets air circulate a little while it is still young. We used to build structures but found the sheets work just as well. When we overhead watered the sheets would get wet but would dry out with no problems. We also make sure to keep the stem open to air.
Sherry

7/14/2010 10:35:41 AM

Washington

Kenny, why do you find it necessary to wash your pumpkins?

7/14/2010 10:36:24 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

OK to use Turtle wax or Meguiars? Will NuFinish scratch removal work? You've opened up a whole new world for me!

7/14/2010 12:07:42 PM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

Thank the Pumpkin Gods all my girls are growing under a Peach Tree.....

7/14/2010 12:09:02 PM

Wilmington.Ma.

Cover as soon as you can.

7/14/2010 12:10:44 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I do it to kill any pathagens that may be on the fruit. you also have to take into consideration that you'll be killing off some good stuff to.

7/14/2010 12:10:55 PM