New look on old problem
Hi all
OK here is a subject no one likes to talk about BUT I wanted to share some
ideas with you all..
I was at a growers house a few weeks ago and the grower had a pumpkin
growing faster then anything we had seen in southern CA in years. he had built
Gregory Cabins over it and it was totally grown in the dark So far so good. well
what sticks out in my mind was I was beginning to sweat as it was around 85
degrees with bright sun the grower commented as he touched the pumpkin that is
was Very cool. I felt it and in fact it was cold in my opinion.
Two days later this pumpkin split and the heat question came up in my mind.
If you cover your pumpkins to insulate them and the plant warms up faster
then the Pumpkin as the warm juices fill the shoulders it may cause a temperature
problem in the pumpkin. Warm or hot expand faster then cold and like with the
potassium and calcium problem it may take a long time for the warm fluids to
make it to the blossom end causing the blossom to mature at a different pace
then the shoulders. since the leaves and stalks / runners are thin and exposed
to the sun and air currents it will warm up faster then the large MASS of the
pumpkin its self.
Now I know Nothing is Black and white with growing pumpkins but I am
simply asking if anyone has ever considered this being the cause for blossom splits
or am I just over thinking the whole thing.. Well, any way it is my birthday
today and I took the day off so I was just sitting on the computer trying to
get a few of my ideas out to the list. Take care all and I hope you all have a
Wonderful season and personal bests to everyone!
Kevin Smith
Pumpkin Pirate All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pumpkin-growing archives: http://www.hort.net/lists/pumpkins/
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS