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San Diego

I have been interested in the CO2 since all of the hype. I have sprayed it 2 times on my plant during the pumpkin's life so far. First spraying, was day 16 on the pumpkin. Fruit was do 12 lbs a day for 3 days in a row. Sprayed CO2, fruit went up to 16 lbs a day next day and stayed steady. Weather was same for all days. Again, fruit was on day 26, steady 19 lbs a day for 5 days. Sprayed CO2 again, fruit went to 23 lbs next day. Similar weather.

My conclusion, this stuff isn't a miracle worker, but it really seems to work and push the fruit to higher gains every time I spray. What is everyone elses experience say?

8/1/2010 10:57:51 PM

Fresno, CA

hmm.. been looking for something to do just that as my plant has levelled off at 9 lbs a day for 6 days. I am going to look for this stuff.

8/2/2010 12:41:35 AM

Pataskala,OH

It might be because the growth would be ramping up with a pumpkin that age anyway.

8/2/2010 8:02:53 AM

The bottom of New Jersey

I agree with what Nic said. Not saying that the CO2 spray doesn't help in some way, it's just a very hard thing to prove in my opinion. I think you would have to grow two clone plants (genetically identical) under the EXACT same conditions, including pollination date, and use CO2 on one and not the other to really see if there is a measurable difference between the two. And that is a very hard thing to do in nature, it would almost have to be in a controlled environment.

8/2/2010 9:48:55 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Every season you will find growers that look for a miracle product, a silver bullet that will get them over 1000 lbs, I cannot tell you how many times I have received phone calls asking me to sell them what ever will get them over 1000 lbs..... there is no such product, every product is just a piece of a large puzzle.
CO2 does work, I have been using it for 2 years and the results that I see are not the ""OH MY GOD" results that alot of growers believe they will see, what I have experienced is that when I apply it before a day that I know will be very hot, intense heat, my plants flag less, they look very healthy, C02 is supposed to help with moisture loss, this in turn helps to avoid a plant that goes into shock, no shock means better growth.
I've had growers call me and tell me that the C02 burned their plants, only to find out that they mixed it super strong and applied it on a seedling....
I agree with Duster, CO2 works, but dont bet your whole season on it or any one product, it takes more then just using the same products or growing the same seed that the WR holders used to reach their goals.

8/2/2010 10:28:47 AM

San Diego

Nic,

I agree fruit get bigger during these times as well, but in this case I believe it was the CO2. We are having the coldest summer in 99 years in san diego, it's bad! Fruit growth has been slow and steady with cool temps. During both times I sprayed, fruit growth had no improvement for days with mild weather. So each time I sprayed I was seeing if it would jump the fruit a little and it did. It does work in my opinion.

8/2/2010 11:52:51 AM

Colorado

I'm trying it for the first time.I'm hoping it will help the plant maximize photosynthesis.That can help at the scale.As tom says not night and day-but 5 to 10 % is a huge difference at a contest

8/2/2010 12:00:50 PM

Navarre,OH

Tom in your opinion what part of the day would be the best? Early morning before the sun reaches the highest point or early evening?

8/2/2010 12:30:27 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

It is recommended to spray in the morning after the sun is up, its a bit contrary to what we have all learned not to do, but goes in hand wioth the whole.."it doesnt burn" theory.
Since my neighbors would hang me if I pulled out the SR420 in the morning, I spray in the afternoon.

8/2/2010 3:29:07 PM

Fresno, CA

So how hot is too hot to spray this stuff on leaves? Noticed you said you spray in afternoon Tom. 95 in the afternoon here.

8/5/2010 7:02:40 PM