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Sydney, Australia

I have heard that big changes in day and night time temperatures can cause fruit to split. Something to do with skin elasticity.....when the temps are down is normally when a split occurs. Read Randooo's post about heavy hitters and heavy splitters. How about putting an electric blanket over the fruit at night time???? Experiment with the dial to find which setting keeps the required degree's F........and leave it on at night. Just an idea.....Ben

9/21/2003 9:10:48 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

They will need to have a very good thermostate.

9/21/2003 2:40:11 PM

New Bremen, Ohio

I wonder about how it would handle in the elements. I was actually discussing this electric blanket idea with my dad last night. F1 racing keeps tire electric tire blankets to keep the tires warm during a pit stop. I wonder if there is a weather resistant blanket thou.

9/21/2003 2:56:55 PM

Utah ([email protected])

No expert here, but I do have one over the tarp that covers the pumpkin. It keeps the pumpking at a pretty constant temp. As for the elements...if it were going to rain, I would either cover the blanket with another tarp (and reduce the thermostat a couple degrees) or take it off.

My wife though it was an ok idea too... but then she hasn't smelled it lately. Smells like fish emulsion.

9/21/2003 4:21:05 PM

Puyallup, WA

I discovered two years ago that an electric blanket elevates the pumpkin temperature which in turn hastened fungus growth. The pumpkin rotted September 28th, 2001.

9/21/2003 8:47:07 PM

[email protected]

What if a heavy (non electric) blanket was used to insulate the pumpkin from the direct impact of the electric blanket?

Steve

9/21/2003 9:48:10 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I was talking with a good friend of mine, engineer, and he thinks that the thermal inertia of a big pumpkin is big. So she is very slow for thermal changes.
I think that a pair of thick blankets covering the fruit from the evening could be enough in any climate.

Carlos

9/22/2003 1:03:15 AM

Oz

hang the electric binky inside a tent/greenhouse/etc,,

its air temp not pumpkin temp.
pumpkins should have a steady temp i think.
remember that water has the ability to absorb and keep heat quite well.

i would think a poly tent before sundown would help alot.

even a bubble wrap tent....

i had my AGs on blue foam,,,
and the rot was only in the ,,foam zone....

i think they like it cool.......

9/22/2003 10:30:50 AM

Syracuse, NY

yo, Ben, i would say any thick blanket, not anything like a plastic tarp or a sheet, would do the job, being in agreement with Carlos---Hi, Carlos!--all that water weight will hold the temp. constant for you; however i would not recommend BLACK, and i would not leave them on during the day:::BLACK will roast the skin, and on-there all the time will increase the chance of surface rot....been there!
and i have heard an electric blanket has its down side as well...you must be planning your season in REVERSE...hmmmmm, interesting! lol................................................'pal

9/22/2003 7:39:12 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

That is an interesting idea....

I just wonder about the EMFs though.
I would think that these type of fields disrupt a normal growth pattern.

9/22/2003 10:58:39 PM

Oz

lol get a dc binky!!!
no alternating current fields.

9/22/2003 11:52:47 PM

[email protected]

EMF's & current fields huh?.........Sounds good!

Time to strap all those old cell phones to the pumpkins too!

A few good tumors might add on some final hour pounds.

9/23/2003 8:43:33 AM

Tacoma, WA

You're "BAD", Steve! :>)

Stan

9/23/2003 1:45:57 PM

Oz

"good tumors"?????

9/23/2003 2:25:26 PM