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Nauvoo, Alabama

All I have is 30% shade cloth. Is that enough or should I double it up?
And, Is shading before pollination a bad thing or should I wait til it starts growing?

Maybe 30% shade now before pollination and 60% in a few weeks????
Tempatures here range from 88 to 93 during the day. 67 to 73 at night. But soon will get very hot.

The female I am watching right now is directly under the center of my shade frame. (can be moved if need be)
My vine has been curved to relieve stress later on.

I am not after world record this year. Just after a big pumpkin for the first time. Learning.

6/15/2007 1:58:00 PM

Nauvoo, Alabama

Thank you Lisa.

6/15/2007 6:18:23 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Good luck in AL!

I have used 50% but I think 30% would be fine.

6/15/2007 11:45:39 PM

Rhode Island

we have found through the years that a simple white sheet laid over the fruit works just as well as any shade protection ever did. less work and no trampling around the pumpkin driving stakes ,etc ,into the ground. we did not have a problem except on really windy days ---- at those times we just put a brick on each corner of the sheet. worked great

on very hot days just immediately after pollination we will put a small fan blowing on the female to keep the air circulating and cool. we will also on occasion place a gallon milk jug of frozen water between the fan and pollinated fruit to keep her cool that first couple hrs.

6/16/2007 5:20:35 AM

Long Island,New York

Where did you and Ron ever find Triple-King size or Orgy-sized sheets for last year Pap?

6/16/2007 7:30:59 AM

Rhode Island

from omar the tent maker lol ---- actually we sewed together a couple pair of my under shorts. skids and all.

6/16/2007 4:03:36 PM

[email protected]

Good deer repellent too then eh?

6/16/2007 4:16:39 PM

Nauvoo, Alabama

I have a 12x40 hoop house that I wont be using next year cause it is too small for starting my spring sales plants in.
Its my Seedling house then everything gets transplanted to the 96 foot houses.
I cant believe I am even thinking of such, but I think I will put it where I will grow next years pumpkin. I have plenty of shade clothes. 30% and 60 %. IF that doesnt help grow a pumpkin down here in Bone Land then nothing will.
Next thing you know---I'll be buying an ice machine.
Thats a thought.
Whats this world coming to?

6/17/2007 4:32:27 PM

Utah

I've used 60% for the last 3 years and have good success with it. But I wonder if it is to much. I'd like to try 30% for a season. I'd think 30% would work fine for you.

6/18/2007 10:05:51 AM

Okla

Living in the far south I have used different greenhouse shade percentages. What I have found is the heavier the shade, then the more energy the plant puts into making the plant grow by not having enough sunshine. It will make the leaves grow more and have bigger leaves to try to gather more sunshine. So what you have to consider is by having the heavier shade cloth and making the plant go into a plant growing mode is it taking away from putting energy into fruit growth?

6/18/2007 7:39:06 PM

Dallas, TX-

So are you just shading the pumpkin or the majority of the leafs? In Texas its going to get pretty hot here.

6/19/2007 8:23:30 AM