Re: New look on old problem
In a message dated 8/19/2004 12:13:31 AM Eastern Standard Time,
anaid_tecuod@yahoo.com writes:
If the pumpkin is exposed to the night sky, the top surface can
get colder than the ambiant air temperature! Since the growth
of pumpkins slows considerably at lower temperatures, you now
have a situation where the top half of the pumpkin is growing
slower than the bottom half - on the road to splitsville in my
opinion.
My solution is to cover the pumpkin at night with a heavy
blanket. This lowers the heat loss on the top side and keeps
the pumpkin at a more even temperture from top to bottom - so
it grows more evenly.
Now... aren't you sorry you got me started??
vince
Vince, I agree!
There used to be a problem in some pumpkins they call Dill rings. Howard had
the same problem in the early days. Some of the pumpkins would develop a
ring around the pumpkin almost like it had had a belt strapped around the
pumpkin while it grew. The area that was in the ring was inherant to cracks because
of the depression in the skin. All that I have had crack had the same
problem of the flesh being thinner in that area.
That brings me to your other point, which I have done for years. Put them to
bed with a warm blanket! If the temps change too much from day to night, you
are inviting a crack!
I hate nothing more than having worked my tail off, only to have a crack
appear and get deeper by the day. Then all of a sudden I have to deal with death
of a close friend.
Good Luck Keven.
Happy Birthday!
Bill
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