From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Cranbrook bc

I have a couple fruits just recently pollinated do they have to be shaded? I have seen a couple diaries with people putting covers over their pumpkins

7/18/2015 5:06:20 PM

Central NY

I vote yes... A chair is useful until day 10...be careful when moving it

7/18/2015 5:46:35 PM

East Jordan, MI

yes shade the fruit
many people just throw a white sheet over it. If you put something over it like a tarp make sure you leave enough room for the heat to escape or you will cook the fruit. I like to get ours at least 3 ft above fruit

7/18/2015 6:42:07 PM

Central NY

Hey zach... Good early cover ya got there in yer journal... Now Is also the time to consider how the vine will be positioned to allow for room for growth...search s-curve in the site search box... Those females look like they took...good luck !!!

7/19/2015 5:56:05 PM

Cranbrook bc

Question does the flower need to be left on until it falls off on its own?

7/19/2015 7:17:01 PM

East Jordan, MI

no we cut the flower petals off 36 hours or so after pollination. otherwise the little nub will start to rot.

7/19/2015 8:53:40 PM

San Diego

Question: My pumpkin is at three DAP. It has been raining for the last two days and I came out and noticed the flower was dying so I pulled it off. There was some mold on the inside so I sprayed hydrogen peroxide and I accidentally pulled off some lobes with the flower. Do the missing lobes matter anymore?

7/19/2015 10:48:04 PM

Cranbrook bc

Wondering about the lobes as well

7/19/2015 11:45:09 PM

Cranbrook bc

Just checked my biggest punpkin and because I didn't know that your supposed to cut the petals the lobes are moldy

7/19/2015 11:51:34 PM

San Diego

Kill the mold fast. Mold I think will cause a problem, but I don't think missing lobes matter after pollination. Waiting for the expert advise. Lol

Where I live, I am sure the mold would never last on a normal day, but we are having a very rare storm...

7/20/2015 12:01:40 AM

East Jordan, MI

the lobes have done their job on pollination day. while we usually leave then in tact, there is no reason not to just cut it off. for sure don't let the lobes rot off, the rot can continue into the pumpkin.

7/20/2015 9:56:30 PM

San Diego

Would it be best to cut off a lobe that looks like it is rotting? I am at DAP 4.

7/20/2015 10:25:05 PM

San Diego

Never mind, should have read the post above first. Sorry.

7/20/2015 10:26:33 PM