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Anchorage, Alaska

I live in the far North(Alaska)where we have an enormous amount of summer daylight but relatively cool temps. I can regulate my soil temperature but the weather is what it is. My questin is this: How does air temperature play into the growth formula? Is air temperature important because it warms the ground or does the actual plant itself greatly benifit from the airtemp. I can control ground temp to some degree and keep the pumpkin relatively stable temperature wise with a large hoop house. Many vegetables grow to enormous size here do to the long summer daylight hours and I'm just curious as to how all of this plays together. I am well aware that my best possiblity is to have a large ground heated greenhouse, but short of that my question remains about air temp vs ground temp.

11/15/2010 1:20:53 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

do=due :)

11/15/2010 1:22:27 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I really cannot answer that since I don't know so hopefully some of the experienced ring in. But, check out this diary from Dale who also lives in Anchorage. He grew the Alaskan state record this year up there (1,100 pounds). I'm growing that seed next year ( a cross of 1483 x 1544). Good luck, Sherm.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2010&grower=46363&action=L

11/15/2010 2:15:42 PM

Deer Park, WI

Sherm- Air temp is a very important factor in the growth equation. Photosynthesis and nutrient translocation are temperature-dependant processes. Both process run at 100% capacity at 85 degrees. For every ten degree drop in temperature, there is a two-fold decrease in process efficiency. Practically- researchers have studied how quickly nutrients move through plant vasculature at various temps. They were able to demonstrate the above kinetics...juices flow twice as fast at 85 degrees than they do at 75.

Yes, a greenhouse would maximize your environmental variables. In the absence of that investment, minimizing airflow and using black fabric on the ground to create localized heating environments may improve airtemp.

11/15/2010 4:37:34 PM

Anchorage Alaska

Sherm..In my experience growing up here , if you heat just the root zone you can obtain good plant growth,produce female flowers,pollenation ect.. but won't produce a pumpkin of any size. I think you have to trick these plants into thinking they're 2000 miles further south ..lol..any kind of hoop house etc that will raise your day and night time temps 10 degrees or so, I feel is essential to growing a good size fruit.Great to see another grower in Anchorage...Luke..Glad to here it ..Good luck... buddy

11/16/2010 12:14:07 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Sherm, I sorta think Dale, got it real close...prbly a good idea for you is to look thru all diaries from growers in yer Great State (Alaska that is)!!! I think there are several!!! Peace, Wayne

11/16/2010 3:03:38 AM

Anchorage, Alaska

Well, you all have answered my question. It looks like I'm off to Lowes to investigate parts for a good hoophouse. Any suggestions for an additional heat source for the cooler nights?
Dale, I'll no doubt be contacting you for some seasoned advice as the season approaches and thanks again for the phone call and info provided. I'm anzious to get started.

11/16/2010 12:57:24 PM

British Columbia

Sherm
I'm in BC way way below you but I still fight cool temps as we are on the coast and don't get the hot days the interior does. This summer sucked!
A hoop house of some sort is almost a must. Here, I use it to start and also at the end of the season. In addition to the heat gain that a "greenhouse" gives passively just from solar gain you can boost the air temp in the house by something as simply as a small electric heater with fan. Fan is very important to prevent mold and fungal problems in a closed space. You might also want to check out some of the simple solar hot water designs that are readily available on the internet. A few bits of pipe painted black under a piece of glass and a few old barrels filled with water will make and hold a lot of heat that can then be circulated through pipe at soil level in the hoop house area. There are of course endless variations on how to use solar hot water. This is simple and low cost heating once you have the system built. It is amazing what you can built out of scrap and no cost parts if you got a little bit of handyman in you.

11/16/2010 8:57:01 PM