Message Board - BigPumpkins.com

Massachusetts

Hey guys. So my plant has its first true leaf and second true leaf. Third one is forming. It is about 65 degrees out not a cloud in the sky. The hoop house is open. I am noticing my plant is wilting when the sun is hitting the hoop. Soil seams moist. I put a shade cloth on top of hoop. The plant bounces right back. What gives? Am I babying the plant to much? What should I do? Or let it ride and the plant will adapt? Or should I keep putting the shade cover on the hoop until jt vines to get the plant more established?

Thanks

5/10/2022 1:28:04 PM

Bethlehem CT

Maybe the salts are a bit high in the soil. (too much fertilizer). It could also just be that they are getting their first bit of real intense light and not fully adapted to it.

5/10/2022 6:01:36 PM

Bethlehem CT

The plant will adapt in time.

5/10/2022 6:02:34 PM

Bethlehem CT

Could also be thew dreaded corn seed maggot but it is getting a little big for that

5/10/2022 6:04:03 PM

Massachusetts

Thanks Moon. Would you keep shading it? Seems to like when I shade it.

5/10/2022 6:22:51 PM

don young

chair with brick on it your best friend

5/10/2022 7:15:51 PM

Grittyville, WA

I think Matt DeBacco has said the science says they cant utilize the amount of light they get in full sun. So there is no benefit to full sun. A longer day might be good, but they dont need that much light intensity to max out their photosynthesis. Their might be some other benefits to full sun... but partial shade can be acceptable too. The leaves last a bit longer if they arent subject to periods of wilting. I think Im not the only person who thinks it ages them. I think I'll vote in favor of babying them.

5/10/2022 11:41:52 PM

Massachusetts

Thanks everyone!

5/11/2022 5:57:47 AM

Syracuse, NY

I actually had a plant DIE on me last year that was not all too well off to begin with, but a few MiNuteS in what I thought was muted and relatively-harmless-for-a-few-minutes sunlight was what did it in - it wilted and was limp and lifelesss from there on - my second 1985 Miller. I use Floating Row Cover for my 8' X 8' greenhouses and that, being a slight mute for the 'shine, causes me to have ZERO problems with planting them out. They love it and I also don't have any on/off/on/off dilemma with weather (yes, weather, lol) or not my GH is on or off at the right times. Never, Never, Never. All I ever have to worry about is if it's gonna freeze (not for ME, 'cause I plant out way too late for that, lol) and if my plant(s) have hit the other end of the greenhouse(s).
Oh, I forgot - UNTIL I can get a GH onto a plant, once I DO plant one out it gets a double-stacked clothesbasket pair over it with a small piece of plywood on top of those (1-foot square) to distribute the weight of the rock or brick on top of it all and the clothesbaskets are turned slightly to 'polarize' the openings for better protection from any little critters. This also gives the plant(s) ultimate acclimation - never sun from above - Don Young of course nailed it; The real trick is not weighing them down to the point of collapsing the CBs when it warms up...I hate when that happens! Later- eric g

5/11/2022 6:06:51 AM

Bethlehem CT

I don't think it will hurt to keep shading it. I would rather "baby" a plant than lose it. Once it grows some roots and establishes itself it should be tough enough to take the full sun.

5/11/2022 7:43:59 AM

Grittyville, WA

Murphys law, eg.

5/11/2022 11:38:42 AM

Syracuse, NY

Cole's brother? haaaaaaaaaaaa - eg

5/12/2022 2:58:43 AM

So.Cal.Grower

Torrance, Ca.

Don is always to the point but always right!:)

5/12/2022 11:35:51 PM

pumpconn

Sharon, MA

Our Plants have a very shallow root sytem at this stage of their 6-7 month life. The majority of the roots are bound up in the 4" diameter of the pot area. and the plant will suck that area bone dry in hours unless you slowly and carefully water the plant. but the plant can drown just as eay if its over watered. Not easy but with nonstop care in moderation the plant will perk up.

5/13/2022 2:40:00 PM

Grittyville, WA

"Nonstop care in moderation." The words of a world record holder. I think thats your $200 answer.

5/13/2022 4:35:07 PM

Syracuse, NY

Yeah, the fine print there said a lot - way to notice, Gritty! eg

5/14/2022 3:53:39 AM

Massachusetts

Thank you! Do I need to be careful shading to much? Will the plant get leggy?
Thank you!

5/14/2022 5:42:05 AM

Grittyville, WA

If your secondaries start to look weak then you may be shading too much. As long as your secondary buds are coming along healthy you're good to go... Probably just raised more questions than I answered.

5/14/2022 7:14:49 AM

Syracuse, NY

Plant looks great on the 9th, but if it supposed to be growing AWAY from the board and toward the camera, what IIIIIIII would do is drink an entire 2-liter bottle of soda, lol, fill it half-full of H2O and then roll it gently under the first true leaf to help the plant lean toward us, if that's the weigh you want it to grow.
Also, I think with that done, a leggy seedling in the GH is a good thing - it will fill in later - a too-high ambient/peak temperature and overexposure from directly ABOVE are your main concerns. eric g

5/14/2022 3:46:30 PM