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Youngsville, LA

Hey guys,
It's the cajun from Louisiana again. I had a question and this looked like the best section to post it. Sometimes it gets up to 100F here in the summer. Will that affect the growth of my pumpkins? If so, is there a strain of the giants that will do better in the heat? If anyone knows or has the seeds that I should try please let me know. I would be glad to buy them if needed.



Here is a copy of my original post for those who dont know me yet.
"Im brand new to this big pumpkin thing. Like many others I'm sure, I reciently saw a tv special on giant pumpkins. Ever since then I cant stop thinking about growing them.

I come from a several generations of sugar cane farmers here in Louisiana. Which may explain why I like odd plants. I was in 4-H when I was younger and won 1st place at the state level for horticulture.

From what I can find.. the state record in louisiana is somewhere around 650lbs. Maybe they dont grow so well down here? But I guess I should target the state record before anything else.

Any help in getting started would be much appriciated. I've already read a few guides on how to do grow them. I'm sure I will read a few more. Anyone wanna be my giant pumpkin mentor? haha

I'll be getting some basic seeds to practice and test a few ideas I have for the early stages. Does anyone know how I can get some geneticly strong seeds or where I can buy them?

I have many more detailed questions but I'll save them for later.

Thanks, Brodie"

11/6/2007 2:26:53 PM

ordinary,VA

Hey Brodie,
some plants seem to handle the heat and humidity over others.
where you live i highly recommend misters and shade cloth for your plants. the more you protect your plants the better your results will be..out of the eight plants i grew this year the 1225Pukos did the best in the heat..
1178Rivard also grew well in the heat.

maybe growers like Jessica form Texas will chime in.Jessica has grown some BIG pumpkins dealing with the Texas heat.
anyway if you need seeds just let me know have plenty.

11/6/2007 3:01:49 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Your climate will be quite similar to what I have dealt with for the last 10 years here in SC. There is no beating it! The best you can try is to provide a "better" micro-climate for the plant. As Ed states, misters and shade cloth will help to accomplish this. But, don't forget the climate you provide to the plant below the surface! The bottom line is our plants stay in a stressed stage longer in this climate which equals more of a survival mode vs. a happy growth mode and we have a very hard time achieving the number of fruit growth days that our northern brethren have.
If I had to suggest 1 seed that has been mentioned by more growers whose opinions I value, I would concur with Ed on the 1178 Rivard, though I personally have not grown it. My 501 Fawcett '01 SC state record pumpkin has shown good heat tolerance as well. The Jessica from Texas that Ed refers to also said the Fawcett 501 she grew performed well in the heat. I believe it was the male pollinator on her first fruit.
Your best acquisition is probably still the "How To Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins" series of books by Don Langevin, an avid grower himself. This web site and it's helpful growers should be able to help walk you through your first couple seasons. Good luck, BF

11/6/2007 11:30:38 PM