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Randlett, Oklahoma

Hello I am a first time grower in SW Oklahoma. Not the best region for kins, as we regularly get numerous summer days over 100. State record is only 880.

My first attempt, I had 2 plants. both grew to great size, one has large vines and leaves, one has smaller vines and smaller leaves, but many more leaves. The larger leaf plant aborted all pumpkins. I did have one stay on the other plant. It stopped growing around day 45 at ~400lbs. I just don't know why. Ironically it was when the weather started to cool off that it stopped. Is it just "done", it was a seed from a 1700+lb pumpkin.

Also in my area, how would you suggest I do things different than you guys up north? I used some 90% shade cloth to cover it. I don't know if that's too much but I was scared of the heat.

Are there any genetics proven to grow in extreme heat, or at least climates like mine?

Thanks for any help, I'm already planning next years crop! Ive learned so much and hope to weigh mine in the next two weeks.

Jakeb

9/16/2016 12:40:27 AM

Muddy Waters

The heat this year was the cause of all the aborts. I lost 2 at 850 lbs.Warm nights in the 60s-70s all summer long. This is rare in the north.The cool snap was brought in by heavy rains.I think the heavy rains combined with the heat was the real energizer of the soil born bacteria that crippled our fruits.There are no genetics that will beat the heat 100%.I would tend to go on the dry side with watering & use products that battle soil borne disease.Shade cloth is a big bonus.

9/16/2016 7:22:43 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Here in Iowa the calmest winds of the year are in August when heat and humidity are highest. We lost one at 450 and another at 560 the first of August. Shade cloth can help, but if it shuts off air flow can be a problem, Read PCaspers diary. We need to slow our early summer winds to protect plants from damage, but then need ventilation when wind goes calm.

9/16/2016 8:58:26 AM

Westmoreland, KS

Jake I've been battling the heat and humidity for years...I would say our climate is comparable to me...i know some of the northern fellas (Bubba) think 60-70 is hot at night but we regularly get 80+ at night with 90 percent humidity...100 plus during the day. Shading helps but if you don't have a regulated green house the only thing i've found to work is water and lots of it.

Overhead water not soaker hose. Put it on a timer and have it run throughout the day several times a day. And don't stop until you get a bunch of rain or the temperatures drop into the 80's. And then just get out the fungicides, i have 6-7 different products and i put them on whenever i feel like the humidity or the plants show signs of not looking perfect.

I've been battling this game since 2009 I've tried a lot of different things but water and lots of it seems to be the trick....look at my diary this year compared to years past. The only thing i added different this year was more overhead sprinklers.

I didn't shade my plants once this year. Also, don't cover your pumpkins with sheets use this https://www.amazon.com/Gardeneer-Dalen-Harvest-Guard-Germination-Protection/dp/B000HHQNBG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474031724&sr=8-2&keywords=row+covers+for+vegetables

9/16/2016 9:18:37 AM

Randlett, Oklahoma

Thanks guys I will look into all this info. I just thought it odd I had no trouble growing a healthy plant, just trouble keeping a pumpkin. So are we going to say it stopped growing because of the heat?

Also next year I will use more pesticides and fungicide. I didn't use any this year for a few reasons. I'm also looking at building a Bubba type screen house but not sure what shade to use on it.

9/16/2016 9:53:17 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Consistent watering will help keep the aborts to a limit. Also covering the fruits at time of pollination is a biggy.

9/16/2016 10:44:28 AM

NE Arkansas

Jake try to get some of the Terry's seeds. They are grown in Tennessee, in the heat. That's what I plan on trying next year.

9/16/2016 11:15:50 AM

Muddy Waters

Southern growers have always battled the disease due to heat & moisture. This is nothing new for them.Ask Chris Kent. He will tell you the same.Lots of water is 100- 200 gallons a day per plant.Are you using that much Jake?

9/16/2016 4:19:52 PM

Westmoreland, KS

Oh yes i'm not 100% sure how much I use exactly but my water usage went from 6-7 thousand gallons a month last year to around 20,000 this year rough math 400+ gallons a day more. Now i have 3 growing kids and a bit bigger garden so that wasn't all just the pumpkin plant (only grew 1 pumpkin plant this year) but for sure 200 gallons a day was.

9/16/2016 4:56:44 PM

Bowdon, GA

Most people in the south solve the whole pumpkin/ heat problem by growing watermelons.

9/16/2016 5:23:32 PM

Randlett, Oklahoma

I don't think I watered that much. I watered every other day for 6-10 hours through the drip tape. Once again everything was going great until it all just stopped. I guess I should feel lucky with what I did get, especially for totally organic. Cant wait for next year, I plan to use what I learned as well as more supplements/pesticides etc.

I have a real problem as I live in Oklahoma and have zero desire to grow watermelons. I'm a pumpkin man! Although giant cabbage intrigues me for some reason, and maybe long/bushel gourd.

9/16/2016 8:46:10 PM

Randlett, Oklahoma

And a quick thanks to Bubba, if not for your youtube videos, I would have never got into this awesome hobby!

9/16/2016 8:47:12 PM

Muddy Waters

Hey Jake drip tape 6-10 hours is a lot water.I running mine for 45 minutes to 1 hour each day per plant.Well im doing 2-3 plants at a time.I think too much water can be a issue.Just saying.You might want to measure your water.It might help.Average grower does 80 to 100 gallons a day per plant.

9/16/2016 8:59:35 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Bubba, it's 1030 here and still 80 in September. Please tell us more about heat and humidity and I'm just the southern Midwest.

9/20/2016 11:22:12 PM

50 Acres

400 lbs and that far south, I think you did a great job. Talk to the person who grew the 880, they may have good suggestions for you. Well done for first time. Jim

9/21/2016 8:43:02 AM