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Grittyville, WA

We are starting into hyper-dry conditions out west. So I've taken the fan off my pumpkin out of concern that it was actually drying the pumpkin too much. It seems happier without the fan.

I know theres lots of you who have been struggling with too much moisture and humidity... just curious if anyone has seen this opposite problem.

7/21/2021 10:29:57 PM

Lakewood, WA

It's quite dry here right now, I can see where Too Much Fan would not be helpful. Good luck out there!

7/22/2021 12:30:33 AM

Grittyville, WA

I'm thinking a little deeper about this and the xylem reaches a senescence point in developing fruit. While I'm sure no one has studied pumpkins specifically... theoretically the plant switches entirely to phloem at some point in the fruit development. Then it might be possible to dry the pumpkin out too much. It would be hard to do this if the xylem was connected but as it matures and only the phloem is connected there might be some times of day when there wasnt much phloem flow. In my patch anyhow.

I started seeing gains go way down starting on DAP 30. I know this is when gains can appear to drop off. But the gains were really dropping fast and the side with the fan seemed to be getting a withered look to it. Anyhow... got rid of the fan a few days ago. Today it started looking plump again. In tomatoes the xylem shuts off beginning at DAP 10 or so. My guess is pumpkins maybe it is shut off by approx. DAP 30.

But this is all theoretical. I have no proof.

It's all just one wobbly little stepping stone towards coming up with your own theories.

7/22/2021 1:01:49 AM

Watlington, UK

Just put the fan on a low setting. The aim is to induce air movement and prevent fungal spores settling.

7/22/2021 7:47:08 AM

Grittyville, WA

I agree! Its getting filtered sunlight and a steady breeze in the afternoon so not worried at the moment. We havent had any rain in July. I can put the fan back on if the humidity goes back up. Basically zero disease pressure at the moment. Really nice weather for gardening.

7/22/2021 12:30:18 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

It is wet and so humid, the hot air feels like soup (currently 75% humidity). A fan is a must this year. The opposite problem sounds good about now, wonder what the Arizona guys do with that dry heat.

7/25/2021 5:37:39 PM