From

Location

Message

Date Posted

New England

I have been keeping my pumpkin covered with white towels since day 1 to protect it from excessive heat and sunlight. It's maturing well and it has great promise for excellent color. I plan to take it to the Durham weigh-off at the end of the month and I want the pumpkin to have good color, but it's my understanding it needs sunlight to do so. Is white covering hampering the sunlight to the pumpkin enough to affect the color? Should I start uncovering it during the day? If so; when should I start taking the cover off? Thanks in advance

9/3/2013 1:26:40 PM

Central Minnesota

If you want orange you are going to have to quit covering it and give it sun. If you get a very hot day, you may want to keep it covered with a very thin sheet. Hopefully the HD guys chime in here, they can tell you just how much sun it needs. You can not wait until the very end though if you want it really orange.

9/3/2013 1:35:23 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Yep start giving her some sun...Normally this time of year I wipe it down every day with a really soft mico cloth and water and bleach solution. They will polish like an apple

9/3/2013 1:51:18 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Pretty and Orange is genetics also, sometimes the sun will make the uglier ones even uglier...

9/3/2013 1:53:47 PM

Claysburg , PA

If you have a decent orange color already , we usually just give it the normal bleach/water cleaning but after very soft cloth buff it up plus a little sunshune . It usually does a real good job in giving it a shine. At least thats what I am trying again this year.

9/3/2013 8:35:10 PM

Connellsville, Pa

Taking notes here James...

9/3/2013 9:06:21 PM

Lloydminster/AB

I had my 1634 under black tarps and it turned orange perfectly, I had an 1161 under tarps and it turned green where there was no light... I'd uncover it now.....then you could cover it when it gets cooler.

9/3/2013 11:22:51 PM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

did you ever try a fine sand paper James???

9/4/2013 10:40:22 AM

Claysburg , PA

Ned ,try 80 grit sandpaper on yours.

9/4/2013 12:05:44 PM

Albert County, New Brunswick,CANADA

Anyone ever try pasting a stencil to a pumpkin and exposing it to the sun - wonder if it will get tan lines?

9/4/2013 4:29:19 PM

New England

thanks for the help :). The pumpkin is from a Gansert seed and from very orange parents :). I think it's going to be a really gorgeous color. I have been exposing it to late afternoon sun. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 70's and a little cooler. Maybe that will be a good day to take the cover off. Thanks again!

9/5/2013 9:20:52 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

You could grow norm ganserts seeds in a cave and they'd still go orange.

9/7/2013 2:40:30 PM