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Entry Date
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Location
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Tuesday, September 16, 2025
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Matt D.
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Connecticut
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Entry 63 of 71 |
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Supplemental Light to Adjust the Photoperiod
With the reduced daylength the goal is to simulate the late June summer solstice which is the longest day of the year. This is also when the pumpkin plants are growing aggressively, and the pumpkin is starting to ramp up in growth as well. Reduced light can cause plant and pumpkin ripening (senescence) which can lead to reduced gains.
By adding supplemental light this can "trick" the plant to behave more like it does in late June despite the calendar saying late September. It does not take much light since the plants actually determine the season by the hours of continuous darkness.
A HPS (High Pressure Sodium) 750-watt light is used for this purpose since it generates good light coverage with a wide spread of 200+ PAR readings even with the light about 4ft above the canopy. The light comes on at 5am then off at 8am and then it comes back on at 6pm and off at 9pm. With the plant and leaves in good health they can take advantage of this extra bonus light.
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