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Mission Viejo, CA

Hey squash people,
I've got a good one going on my 1701 Jutras plant. It's my understanding that they will darken up with some morning sunlight. When do you recommend starting that process? I am 19 DAP and so far, keeping it covered.

6/27/2024 1:10:45 PM

Grittyville, WA

There's nothing wrong with indirect light to achieve a light or emerald green. I dont know how much if any full sun is necessary to achieve the color you want. They can turn into an army green or even brown if they get a lot of full sun.

[Last edit: 06/27/24 9:02:16 PM]

6/27/2024 8:59:11 PM

Syracuse, NY

I'll be concerned about this with my 1000.4* Baratt that is about to come out of its Floating Row Cover greenhouse tomorrow and my 518.8* Wagler, neither of which are near pollination, butt what I've seen by searching simply down and into the next page back of this board is that keeping them outta the sun until the last few weeks of growth and then letting them see the sun is the way to go, as well as it is in the genetics of each particular squash's general makeup. Good luck, as I will need 2 C it 2!---eg

6/27/2024 10:28:22 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

Circling back on this- I sent emails to two prominent growers to see what their thoughts were.

The first grower said keep a sheet over it during the first part of the season and then let it get sun exposure for the last 3-4 Weeks.
The second grower said to allow morning and evening light, but not sunlight, gradually beginning on Day 20.

7/3/2024 11:39:12 AM

Syracuse, NY

I'd suggest looking into which type of covering in this case will have the greatest effect - there are growers of AGs and AG Squash whom use full-on mini greenhouses + black/silver/blue tarps for sun shading. A white sheet, (for some reason, almost SPECIFIED by growers) might (most-likely) have very little effect. Doubling-up the material ?>=<? twice the effect; I know I'd rather be under a shade tree in the desert than under a singly-layered white sheet---Perhaps do both, for full control. eg

7/3/2024 2:12:54 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

Great idea Eric. Go ahead and see what you find out.

7/3/2024 5:14:38 PM

Syracuse, NY

Lol---I meant for you to try both things the other growers said to do, with my suggestions of layers of material and an all-out shade structure for additional options, thereby not dismissing anyone's advice. My 1511 Haist* last year, which aborted probably due to fertilizer stoppage, was super-green up until about 100 pounds at which time it was aborting, so, no true-to-life self-experience as far as shading that one. I have not shaded any AG fruits since about 2006 and have never worried about it (too cheap) except that I'd LIKE to have one, established shade design for EACH fruit, whether AG or Ag Squash. I COULD use one of my Floating Row Cover greenhouses in many cases in a few weeks.
I'd just need a 16' X 20' tarp or two...Jeez!!!
I figured they'd be too costly for several but there was one for 5 bucks!!! $21 for shipping, and the price comes down in quantity, though, butt, there's no excuse now for not shading a fruit where's it's needed, lol---Good Luck---eric g

7/3/2024 10:29:42 PM

Syracuse, NY

See, the way this works is if I keep answering you and the total # of replies racks up, others will chime in to set ME straight and in the process, the many truths will come out.
If you put in 4 posts @ 4 feet apart as a square and set atop them through drilled holes a piece of 1/2" plywood over simple, bent-outward, screw-in hooks of any kind, there's your direct overhead sun-protection. Combine that with as many sheets of any color you desire onto the fruit itself for ambient light reduction and all your bases are covered. You could angle the posts inward/space them further apart for an even-greater base footprint while maintaining the purpose of it all. Just a suggestion. eg

7/3/2024 10:41:20 PM