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Prairie Du Sac Wi

Hello!

I'm on the morning of DAP 3 and it's only 39 degrees out.
Will that cold of temp affect my fruit setting? I would of covered it but didn't know it was going to get that cold. I'll have to keep a closer eye on the weather I guess.

6/12/2023 7:39:29 AM

Grittyville, WA

It could mess up the growth a bit but I dont think it should mess up the pollination... the pollen should have got where it needs to go by now?? If the stigma is stiff its a good pollination but if it goes limp/rubbery then it has not pollinated or it has aborted.
I would recommend taking measurements too, though, so you know if its growing normally. I use a woven poly line and just put a crimp mark in it every day to guage the circumference. This makes a basic growth assessment very easy. Some people put an innocuous object near the pumpkin and watch the growth via the pumpkin approaching the object.

6/13/2023 2:47:06 AM

Grittyville, WA

Got my nomenclature wrong, I'm not sure if the stigma part matters precisely, its more the "style" or perhaps the general feel of the "pistil" which is important. I should know this stuff, as a former migratory beekeeper, pollination was literally my job!
Sorry if this was all too much info.

6/13/2023 3:06:27 AM

Lodi, California

Cold during fruit set would slow down cell division in the fruit, which could hinder final size

6/13/2023 9:07:59 AM

Prairie Du Sac Wi

Thanks for the info guys! It's been a couple days and the pollination did take so that's nice. Final size could be affected but I'm ok with it because the placement is so good. If that happens again I would just cover it at night to be safe. Hopefully the temps in the 30's are done for a while. :)

6/15/2023 4:26:08 AM