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Ny

Should the pumkins be exposed to the sun or should the leaves(I assume one refered to as a canopy) cover them from the sun...and, while I'm at it, what type of protection(spray/powder) can be used for keeping bugs and diseases away

7/26/2005 7:06:18 PM

New Jersey

It is preferable to not have the pumpkin baking in the sun everday. Leaves provide shade, but it's not reasonable to have them cover your pumpkin or to stay in one place, not die and leave you in the sun etc... OK when they're small...

There are many ways to shade them from the sun:

Some build elaborate structures:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=2301&gid=1
Others build less elaborate tents/structures,
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=39035

Others lay a blanket or other item over it directly.

Make sure to maintain good circulation so things can dry out and not rot.

7/26/2005 7:27:28 PM

C N Y

at least the equivalent of a lawnchair should be over each fruit, to protect it from the strongest rays of the sun when it is high overhead. you will get probably five
other answers on this one. no, don't use a lawnchair,
unless you have an extra, lol, but the equivalent of one.
i am gonna get to constructing some shaders that are
4' X 4' pieces of plywood OR 1/2''-thick housing insulation, mounted atop 3' or 4' posts, one at each corner, on pins or posts or something to allow easy access for measuring my MONSTERS.......eric

7/26/2005 7:28:46 PM

also lots of growers like to cut away the leaves around the fruit. every feel the bottom of the leaves? they are scratchy and can scratch up the surface of young pumpkins.

for bugs and fertilizer.... do a search for pesticide or fungicide in the search box and look in the past forum posts, there's a plethora of options. often it depends on what bugs or diseases are plaguing you.

7/26/2005 7:36:37 PM

No Place Special

Just throw an old T shirt over when young and when out grows get an old bed sheet.

7/26/2005 9:45:03 PM

Follansbee, Wv

I must be doing something right at least...started out with an old T shirt, and am now using old bed sheets.

7/27/2005 7:04:23 AM