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Mount Prospect,illinois

We are supposed to get hot this weekend. After a very cool summer, temps in the Chicago area are supposed to hit the upper 90's. Not having been through this with a pumpkin, i am wondering how this will effect the fruit. I know high temps are not good for pollination, but what about when it is growing. I have one at around 170+ lbs (not huge but big enough for me). I dont think i have to worry about blowing it up since my gains are minimal compared to the heavy hitters.

8/7/2009 2:44:10 PM

West Central Indiana

from what i'm hearing its not gonna last but a few days until it drops back down to mid to low 80's. as far as pumpkin behavior, we should expect to see a leap in growth, followed by average growth once the temps drop back down. its not been a GREAT year for the midwest as far as pumpkin weather goes. too cool. splitting shouldn't be a problem as the lows at night aren't supposed to drop below 65. normally a split occurs when the pumpkin is growing heavily in warm weather and a cold front comes in and stops the growth of the shell but the pumpkin keeps gaining weight and sometimes splits.

8/7/2009 4:20:27 PM

Pataskala,OH

Hot weather most of the time is great.

8/7/2009 5:35:15 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Shade fruit, between about 2 and 5 pm, take measures to cool the plant (misters or spray it with water periodically) and your growth might back off a wee bit. It will resume after... (yes most wisdom is they will grow and gain more when warm, but if vine is stressed off gains drop... so take care of the plant and you should get good gains).

8/7/2009 5:50:41 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Thanks for the info. To add a little spice to my hot weather mix, i will be on vacation in Colorado Springs for a week just as the weather hits. Pumpkin is shaded and my bro is going to water periodically. Should be fun when i get back.

8/7/2009 7:33:44 PM

Washington

One of the best things we ever did for our patch is to put in an automated water system. We can set timers to come on 8 different times per day for whatever amount of time we need. PVC pipe is wonderful!!!

8/8/2009 9:34:11 PM