From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Plainwell,Mi 49080

When putting a shade structure over your pumpkin, does it need to be translucent or can a solid roof work as long as there is plenty of ventilation on all sides?

7/26/2013 2:14:16 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

you need sun light.

7/27/2013 8:51:54 AM

Lexington, Ky

The point of having shade structure is to eliminate sun light...that's why we call it shade structure...lol

7/27/2013 12:03:07 PM

Concord, CA.

1320,
I believe the term is "shade" not dark room.
Rans rider,
I use a white mesh material. It provides some shade while the white repels the heat of the sun. The mesh allows the breeze to pass thru and cool the fruit. This helps keep it dry too. If you grow in a climate that sees really hot days, you will want to keep the fruit from overheating. A dark structure might not help achieve this. Translucent ( some sunlight) is the condition that I seek. I also have made small portable shade shelters to protect those precious vine tips using this same white mesh cloth with good success. It beat the plastic patio chair or plastic laundry basket for tip protection.

7/27/2013 3:06:24 PM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

Think qeustion is pertaining more to the pumpkin itself. Than shading leafs

7/27/2013 4:03:38 PM

Massachusetts

cover your pumpkin from direct sunlight, a sheet, ect.

7/27/2013 4:54:08 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

This is what I built for my guys here in NC. It was 105 heat index for a week or more straight, the thermometer in the kin hut was steady at 90 or below. Not perfect, but not cooking them, plus any breeze dropped that temp quick.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=202990

7/27/2013 5:25:34 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

Sorry my bad, I was thinking about the plant. For the pumpkin a use a sheet.

7/28/2013 7:40:50 AM

Nottingham, UK

Two problems I have each year is trying to find canes etc to peg down the vines and the other is shading the pumpkin. Always seem to be scraping around the plot for things to use but have settled for white sheets. Although we are having 50% rain 50% sun at the moment so its an issue having to change the sheets.

The Patons seem to have a nice structure going on http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=205374
okay if you're growing indoors or could have some solid wood on top painted white

7/29/2013 6:01:40 PM

Plainwell,Mi 49080

Appreciate all the suggestions. Have been using sheets to cover the pumpkins, but felt they needed some shade also. guess I'm back to using a shade fabric that allows filtered sun and lets the rain through. Thanks again.

7/30/2013 10:42:04 AM