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Upa Creek, MO

First, I am sorry for the repetitive posts about heat. But, I am still trying to get one set after the female wouldn't open on a 106 degree day. I have another opening within a week, but our 10 day forecast has us above 100 everyday.

General shading won't work, and I also use gallons of ice water but they completely melt before noon when I can get home to change them since I put them out at 630am. Is there a cooler method or any other extreme method anyone has used to keep something when above 100 and sunny everyday? Let me know what "rigs" you have used in the past. I probably should have just watch more McGyver as a kid, lol.

Thanks

7/1/2012 1:37:28 PM

I know Don Young did this in the 07 season to cool off his greenhouse http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=62193. You may want to try this near your newly pollinated pumpkin. Another thing is on days like this (we are at or over 95-100 degrees) I always run the overhead sprinkers 4-5 times in the afternoon to cool the plants off. That not only keeps them cool but also keeps the new leafs from being fried by the heat. If you cannot run the sprinklers maybe try to set up an over head thing where all somebody would have to do is cut a hose on for 10-15 mins 4-5 times in the afternoon every hour to water the plant(s). I would try and see if my neighbors would do it. Oh and dont forget to shade the pumpkin(s). I make a thing out of PVC pipe then fold a old bed sheet over a few times and cover it up. It seems to be working.

Best of luck!
Martin

7/1/2012 3:23:24 PM

stoughton WI

i have just started using styrofoam cooler over female with some small bags of ice in with it and white sheets over and around it, to keep cooler air in and it seems to be working for me, put 1 qt ziploc bag of ice in with it at 6:30 a.m. and still have some but very little ice in bag at 5:00 p.m. hope this helps some, good luck

7/1/2012 6:07:15 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks Martin and Rick. The plants doesn't flag and seems to be pretty heat tolerant. I just need a female to keep. Rick, see below for what I did this afternoon. It sounds similar to what you do.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=182571

7/1/2012 7:28:32 PM

Princeton Kentucky

Hey Luke, I've been useing 1 gal freezer bags half filled with ice placed on both sides of the bloom and I cut the bottom off of medium size styrofoam coolers..taped Plastic over them for some sun and cut notches on both ends to set them over the blooms and after noon set a towel over them. I'll change the ice out about three times a day. The cooler helps keep them cool around 67 - 70 degrees inside. Thats with me being able to babysit them all day. The last 5 sets in this crazy heat all were successful including your est 525. sounds like alot of hoopla but its worth it.

7/1/2012 7:31:54 PM

Princeton Kentucky

P S My name at my Air Force shop out at Vandenburg AFB was..............You said it..."McGyver". One of my favorite old shows. I have an Air Force Accomidation Medal given to me when I was in and on the Certificate my Commander had them put aka "McGyver" from work I did at the mothballed Space Shuttle Facility saving the taxpayers money lol. Good Luck..Keep us Posted on how its going.

7/1/2012 7:40:42 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks Joseph... I watched too much of the A-Team and missed out learning how to McGyver things.

7/1/2012 8:33:54 PM