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Mission Viejo, CA

I noticed that my 1916 Barron has a tan line. The end of the pumpkin was exposed, and the color in that area is different. Not darker mind you, but actually lighter and more of a tangerine color. The redness seems to have been bleached out by the sun.

I think this was discussed in a thread Dustin started recently so I think its interesting.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=280967

8/18/2017 4:31:16 PM

Bethlehem CT

In my opinion, if a pumpkin has solid red orange genes there is nothing you can do to hold them back. They will be orange. Some other pumpkins are borderline and their color can vary depending on the environment you give them.

8/18/2017 7:47:50 PM

Bethlehem CT

I just looked at your picture, I do see the tan line, It looks like that one is going to have really nice color. In giant melons the parts that get the sun will get bleached or sunburned. So we cover them to keep them from sunburning.

8/18/2017 7:51:52 PM

Morgantown, WV

Hard to say, will probably get lots of opinions different than mine. I have noticed on the 1511.5 Haist squash I'm growing a bit of bleaching on the top from sun.

The Cinderella that caused me to make the comment has had clear definitions of where the towel was in a matter of days, in 2 different places, leading me to believe I'm not just seeing things. Additionally, the 982 from last year was uncovered from mid-August until early October, as the raccoon bite needed a fan, and I couldn't get one to work well under the mattress cover.

My theory is in it's infancy, and will certainly be challenged, but light exclusion can have any number of effects on fruit. I will continue to cover any pumpkins that are meant for weight, as the skin stretching is most important. I will though, continue to grow under shade tarps with no cover physically ON the pumpkin as I test my theory further.

Additionally, the amount of cover can make a difference. A thin white cover is different than the dark towel folded into layers that my fan was on top of. It is possible that light coming through a thinner cover, or one that isn't completely "blacked out" will still be enough to darken a fruit. So far, the folded towel has caused the most noticeable change.

As Big Moon said, if it's gonna go, it'll go, but I feel it can go a little further with different than "usual" treatment. It's not about holding the color back, it's about finding out how to bring it out better.

Great kin Kevin, good luck on it!

8/18/2017 10:26:43 PM

Grittyville, WA

I'm thinking indirect light is good for color but direct light can dull the pattern (lines or dots) It probably depends on the pumpkin and the color in question. In my limited experience direct sun certainly can blend and fade the color a little. I think other colors though might be enhanced by direct light.

With different light, nutrients, days on the vine, and camerawork it's hard to compare 'em...

8/18/2017 11:05:54 PM

Grittyville, WA

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=280909

My thoughts on it. Too busy to test any theories really but doesn't some of that clear polycarbonate roofing sheets stuff block uv? What else would??

8/18/2017 11:23:47 PM

Morgantown, WV

Well, i'm not quite the scientist yet, but I do know that outdoor grown vegetables are slightly richer in secondary metabolites than greenhouse grown products with some amount of UV blocked. It is actually the UV that "attacks" the plants just like many other pests, causing response mechanisms to increase things like anthocyanins which cause coloration in fruits and vegetables.

Additionally, heat is another factor that affects coloration. If you look at my cucumbers, there will be a strap mark where they were held to the board with a Velcro strap. The strap mark is more mature (yellow) than the surrounding area of flesh suggesting that the extra heat caused by the black strap may have matured that section a little sooner despite the total blocking of light.

Could be a lot of factors at play here, but I'm interested in the idea so will keep testing things. Let's keep the conversation going!

8/19/2017 6:56:12 AM

Bethlehem CT

I have noticed that too about indirect light, versus direct sunlight.

8/19/2017 7:40:12 AM

Jericho Vermont

We keep our covered with a sheet from dap 10 to the end but mostly to avoid scratches as well as human error issues. I also believe critters are less likely to take a bite if there is a sheet over them. They are also under tents. We have used striped sheets in the past and have found it gave us stripes but when we traded them out for solids they seemed to blend in after a week or two. I do believe the orange gets darker after we harvest and fully expose pumpkins on the lawn for Halloween.

8/19/2017 9:14:08 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I keep mine covered until 2 weeks before the weighoff. Then the tarp and sheet comes off. The tarp goes back on if rain is coming, possibility of hail. Seems like that brings out the color some. Also, by late September, the sun isn't directly overhead, not as harsh as the main growing season. Also by that time the nights are getting real cool and the sun helps warm the pumpkin, maybe getting a couple more pounds.

8/19/2017 10:25:06 AM

Bethlehem CT

John, I definitely agree with you about the sheets. It keeps away and discourages all types of critters It even discourages vine borers from boring into them. I think sheets are also very important to keep people from digging in with their nails to see if the pumpkin is real or not. Keep em covered!

8/19/2017 5:30:15 PM

Grittyville, WA

Dustin-- I like your idea about the heat being a factor

8/19/2017 6:22:44 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I will let you know at the end of the season :)

8/20/2017 9:30:28 PM

Westford, MA

I use Lead Based Orange paint.

I prefer the spray over the brush or roller.

More uniform finish.

10/2/2017 11:03:50 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

I’ve kept mine covered all season under rain tarp and with a white blanket. I uncovered them completely last week to soak up some sun and noticed that my 1385 H/J Pumpkin is getting some stretch cracks so the covers are staying on from now on. My guess is that the skin started to toughen up from the sun and pumpkin is still gaining at a decent clip and that caused the cracks to start.

10/2/2017 8:43:51 PM

Morgantown, WV

The intense late season sun is doing a number on my 2106 and my squash just the same. The 982 however has only been covered with a rain tarp to keep dry and the only stress on her skin is right underneath where the fan has been sitting all season. I can only imagine this is from drying the skin, not the sun...

Not a foolproof theory yet, but something I will surely play around with more as I move forward. Thanks for the input everyone, good luck getting your plaques!

10/3/2017 5:36:01 AM