From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Quincy, CA

I want to try for a HD this year and was wondering if a pumpkin needs sunlight to get really orange or if I can cover it with a sheet. Got some good seeds.

5/3/2012 7:34:45 PM

Bethlehem CT

Some of my darkest orange ones had never seen the light of day.

5/3/2012 7:58:49 PM

churchville, ny

I had a giant a couple of years ago that I covered most of it with a white beach towel for most of the season - in October the covered part was light orange and the part not covered was dark orange

5/3/2012 8:40:51 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I had a white sheet and a tarp\tent over all mine last year and grew very orange (at least 2 of them)... I think it is genetic.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=171625

5/3/2012 9:49:25 PM

Lloydminster/AB

At some point SOME may turn green if left covered. I've had them very nice and orange while covered but my 1081 last year started turning green where light was restricted. You just never know unfortunately, still if you see it turning a colour you don't like, just uncover it during the day.

5/3/2012 10:06:44 PM

Quincy, CA

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll try covering it part-time and give it some sun just in case that will help.

5/4/2012 11:13:23 AM

Stanwood, Washington

The sun definately helps mature the skin but you want to leave it covered for most of the summer otherwise your skin can get brittle and crack. If you expose it to sun for the last month before the weighoff that should be enough to get it nice and orange (provided it has the genetics to do so).

5/4/2012 11:43:46 AM

Ely Mn

I agree with captain

5/4/2012 11:45:55 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

By September I remove my shade tarps. Sometimes earlier.

5/4/2012 12:01:28 PM

Quincy, CA

Okay, I'm going with the Captain's method.

5/4/2012 2:00:32 PM

Georgetown, Ontario

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=171354

This was covered with a dark tent right up until weigh-off.

5/5/2012 6:50:22 AM