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Napa, CA

I have been watering my pumpkin plant only were I planted them. I was looking a pictures and some people are water or spraying the leaves. I have my plants covered with shade cloth. What is the best way to water you pumpkin plants?

7/27/2010 12:50:35 AM

Montgomery, IL

You need to water the whole plant,everywhere there is a leaf comming out of the main or secondary vine the plant will grow tap roots and these need to be watered .I also water close to the stump and i use a overhead sprinkler to cover the rest of the patch..

7/27/2010 8:13:35 AM

Bear Creek, NC

Sonja, do you have a diary? I would love to see how you have your shade cloth set up. I want to do shade cloth next year and need some ideas. I agree with rybec on watering. I was applying my fertilizer at just the base, thinking thats where most of the roots were. I burnt some leaves.

7/27/2010 5:11:17 PM

Western PA

Sonja, I have a overhead system that I use during daylight hours (11:00 am-5:00 pm), it turns on, on the hour for 15 minutes. It gets the leaves very well and helps to cool the plant. With the shape of the leaves (like a big funnel)you will notice it will be wet right at the leaf/vine junction, called the nodes. That is good because the node roots are getting the water they need. But those leaves are so big that a lot of the soil under the canopy will still be dry, so I will spray under my canopy with my hose to wet the entire ground every few days if it is dry. The roots from the main stump go in every direction at least as far as your vines are reaching. You should actually keep the stump and maybe a foot out as dry as possible, to avoid rot issues.
I don't know how big your plant is at this time, but be sure to water at least as far as the area that your plant is covering.
I hope this helps you.

7/28/2010 8:57:49 PM

Nelson county , VA

Zappa , you water in the middle of the day, in the hot sun? ive wanted to water during the heat of the day but have been worried about shocking the plant?
BTW
thanks for the reply in the other thread....about 1 or 2 keepers

7/29/2010 12:22:15 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Pknologist, & Zappa, I read an interesting post a few days back, that talked about overhead watering during the heat of the day!!! The main point was "how hot is the water in yer hoses, that have been out in the sun" when you turn on the system??? Scalding yer leaves is prbly a good description!!! I know from experience, that it is HOT!!! In 45 minutes in full sun, it is HOT again!!! Peace, Wayne

7/30/2010 12:43:02 AM

Western PA

Yes, I overhead water during the hotest part of the day.You will probably do more shock if you don't overhead water during the Hot Hours ( my opinion). Some of my plants earlier in the summer were really struggling with the heat,( a lot of drooping leaves called flagging). When that happens I don't believe the leaves are doing the job of making food the way they should. By misting or overhead watering, the leaves will perk back up and spread out and should be working properly to make food.

Peace Wayne, I remember that post also. I was a little concerned after reading it, but my plants are doing great.
I have a dark colored hose and yes the water gets hot it in when it sets in it for a while, but by the time the water hits the leaves, it is cooled down considerably from flying through the air . I have been in my patch pulling weeds when it kicks on at 11:00 am and the water is cool when it hits me.
These are my observations that I have made this year. The overhead system seems to help in my opinion.
I think a system of both over head and a under the canopy system like t-tape is the best way to go.That way all your bases are covered , and you will have less work to do.

7/30/2010 8:33:12 AM