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Kutztown, PA

So, the flavor of the month on the Backyard Facebook page is " you need to cover new growth." By new growth the advocates for doing this mean only the main vine. While it does make sense to protect the tip of the main from the elements I'm wondering if shading it from the sun is really the way to go. I haven't done that in the past and had no problems. Here's my thoughts: The leaf ball at the end of the main slowly lets itself out and takes in the sun perhaps acclimating the young leave to it while doing so. By keeping them shades, then removing the shade they're getting full sun without acclimation thus may be more prone to sunburn then if they'd just grown out naturally. What' your take on this?

6/2/2023 9:15:11 AM

Elk County, PA

So many variables. Some plants take the sun really badly, those are the worst. Then you have the no harsh sun for awhile then 3 days of full sun high heat and that can scorch. Then come pesticide and fungicide time you have to avoid the new growth.....My point is, do what works for you. I was very much a read and copy what everyone else is doing and that works for most of it. But my first year, this still makes me laugh, I read 100 gallons a day. Well that year I was growing in heavy clay, wasn't full sun, and it rained a lot that year. So the take away should of been, they like a lot of water when its needed. I look at each plant, and thus far, all 3 of mine are not having any issues with the heat, no scorching barely flagging so I just run the drip, give them a little overhead to keep the vine burying areas wet and days like today a little mist to keep em cool. If they weren't so heat tolerant I would be covering vine tips.

6/2/2023 1:02:36 PM

Kutztown, PA

Bravo2, 3 of mine don't seem to be affected that much by todays heat, but the one with the longest main is drooping like a Bassett hounds face. I think that's because I haven't started burying vines on that one so it needs more roots to suck up more water. Just ordered my drip tape today. I got the tips covered, but only be cause it's the latest fad. I guess I'm just a born follower. LOL. The breeze is picking up here too. Soft floppy leaves and wind - a bad combination I think. Anyway I had something already made up that I was able to use to cover the main tips or else I probably wouldn't be doing it. LOL It'll cool off tomorrow so I can get some vines buried and maybe get some roots out before the next really hot days.

6/2/2023 1:34:04 PM

Elk County, PA

Nothing wrong with being a follower when your being followed by the right people. And this place has plenty of those. And your assessment on the roots is probably right, something I got right this time around and I'm worrying more about root size then plant size this year and its funny, it translates to both.

6/2/2023 1:49:06 PM

Grittyville, WA

Its usually the "teenage" leaves about 4-5 leaves back from the tip that can get some obvious sun damage. The baby leaves and the older leaves are less sensitive it seems. If its been cool and cloudy, they do need a few days to adjust to full heat and sun or they can look miserable but other plants are more resilient. There are some things that increase turgor pressure and some things that decrease it... Things like calcium and silicates might help.

6/2/2023 5:34:59 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I have so much shade up early its like a circus in the greenhouse! lol
I'm always happy I went through the extra work when I see the beautiful leaves later I the season!;)

If you get lazy you run the risk of crispy leaves way to early.

6/2/2023 6:22:42 PM

Syracuse, NY

I've only ever shaded the main vine tip in order to somewhat deter any nibbling critters such as my 'pet' woodchuck (HAS eaten tips about 2 years ago) or possibly someday a deer or some other animal. Wild turkeys roaming around lately butt I doubt they are a threat, although it explains a 'crop hole' about a foot in diameter near one of my plants way out in back...I would use a lawn chair with a rock on it and the vine tip would get out from under it anyway, but there has never been any problem with it at all when it did;
Sometimes I wonder if the latitude/longitude has anything to do with
anyone's susceptibility to 'sun scorch'.
I'll take New York! eg

6/2/2023 9:28:34 PM

Brooktondale, New York

I think you bring up some great points, along similar lines I wonder if a seed grown in a green/ screen house might create these characters? Does a seed line that flags more even impact the grows of those inside? You can spend all winter exploring last year's offerings just to see that seed is not fitted well for your patch/ conditions. If you grow in a wide open field it might be a consideration to pick a seed from similar conditions/latitude, rather than the biggest one from a greenhouse pumped full off CO2, than run around all summer like your in the circus, in all honesty the circus is fun though. Ultimately my question is enough emphasis placed on the quality and attributes of a seed line or is it all just bigger is better? Straight vines with a full set of secondaries chilling in a full UV sun on a cool calm ninety degree day seems appealing. As for the tip, It would be logical to presume that the fresh cell walls of the new growth (including flowers) could be more sensitive and severely impacted by harmful UV and temperature. Nothing makes you feel like a better parent than realizing how easily a toddler burns at the beach? Ultimately at the end of the day you get what you get, adapt and overcome. I have come to appreciate the persistence and creativity these plants inspire.

6/3/2023 12:16:14 AM

Syracuse, NY

I hope my plants this year exemplify my bragging in a weigh about how they never have any problems from the sun or burns here and there - by most mid-seasons, I am the reason why I'm surprised they are still alive, lol! One thing I've noticed in the last couple of years is that they like to be put into direct morning sunshine on the edge of a pallet up against my house right after sprouting. It's where the cool seedlings seem to hang out.
Great musings, Berggren---eric g

6/3/2023 12:36:37 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

The further south you go the more intense the sun in say Florida, Texas or California since they are closer to the equator and sun rays are more direct (overhead).

But then you get longer days of sunlight then the deep southern states, but less prone to scorching burn.

I'd personally take advice from someone in your latitude. I am smack dab in the middle and can't give the advice. lmao

6/3/2023 9:07:55 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Smallmouth hit it! We're so south that the sun is much stronger ( burns leaves much easier ) then most growers. Shading for all of us down here,,, even if its cool is very important. A lot of my fellow growers in the area have 30% to 50% shade over the whole plant all year and grow big pumpkins.

Latitude has a lot to do with it.

6/3/2023 10:29:25 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

What I am not understanding...why are some growers just shading the tip of the main vine. Each secondary also has a tip. The chairs at the tip of the plant look like the grower cares but I think the total impact is negligible...unless the wind has a sudden gust, then it might be a big impact. I certainly can understand why the growers in the south would use shade cloth. The sun intensity there is brutal.

6/3/2023 9:00:45 PM

Syracuse, NY

'...unless the wind has a sudden gust, then it might be a big impact.'
I'm wide awake and that comment has a hidden meaning
I didn't see before, lol;
---Unless it's YOU, always have a rock in your non-rocking chair,
lol---eg

6/4/2023 12:37:46 PM