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Pendleton New York

Could someone please help me,I noticed three of my pumpkins turned all soft and mushy,all of a sudden, they were doing fine a couple days ago.The other day I put pieces of roofing shingles underneath all my pumpkins,(smooth side up) and I was wondering if this has anything to do with it, I noticed the shingles get a little warm,but so does the dirt.Is this just a coincidence?I will really be bummed out if my BIG ones get mushy.Any advice will be greatly welcomed.THANKS

8/8/2001 3:30:12 PM

derry n.h u.s.a.

Hi Bill:
How big were the pumpkins (softball size? or smaller) if so they have aborted ,they either never pollinated well or it was to hot to pollinate.Pumpkins only pollinate well when the temps are in the low 70's or under.I wouldent use roofing shingles under them theirs to much heat involved.I use sand(play sand by the 60lb bag)yoy dont want to cook them.Shingles on a 90 degree day can hit 115 degrees and that seems a little hot to me just ask any roofer.Hope this helped.John G... Roofer

8/8/2001 3:47:57 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

hi bill,
mother nature helped me today on culling decisions !
a perfectly looking 75 lb. (est) AG on a rear main turned
soft for no apparent reason. suspect inadequate shading as the soft spot developed in area still exposed to sun partof the day. keep this in mind.

8/8/2001 8:24:49 PM

Pendleton New York

THANKS a million,mini patch and duff for your quick responses,they were about softball size,one maybe a little bigger, I wanted to put sand under them but I wasnt sure how to go about it, lifting them up I mean,is that what you do?just slow and easy?THANKS AGAIN!

8/8/2001 9:37:08 PM