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Upa Creek, MO

I know this has been a posted topic, but my last decent shot is this Wednesday after losing other pollinations to high heat and lack of care when I was out of town for 6 days last week.

We are supposed to be 102-105 actual temps for 4 days, and has anyone had one pollinated and take in that heat? When you factor in humidity the index will be pushing 110. This temps are common here in summer, but I'm never pollinating now.

Thanks

7/17/2017 7:01:59 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

We rarely get over 100 here, maybe once every 3 or 4 years. But we get plenty of 90's with dew points around 80. Its tough. I had to use a Styrofoam cooler and ice bottles on a couple plants last week. It has worked for me in the past when it got up around 90. I may have to do that again this week on one plant that has been lagging behind. Maybe misting for evaporative cooling might help?

7/17/2017 10:58:33 PM

Lexington, Ky

Shade and fan here, for 10 consecutive days. Can't say that it helps but I don't close up the flower with zip ties in the heat, I cover with a pinned down styrofoam cup.

7/18/2017 6:12:18 AM

Central Illinois

I have always used a milk carton of ice and a cardboard box
with about 50% success. This year I kept ice by mine in till 5pm by changing out the jug , I had 100% success in the 90s

7/18/2017 8:14:00 AM

Westmoreland, KS

I've had them take i keep the plant well watered before pollination, during pollination and after pollination. I put this down...about a 4x4 sheet https://www.amazon.com/Agfabric-30g-0-9Oz-Garden-Fabric-Resistance/dp/B00NUPFQK6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1500383681&sr=8-3&keywords=white+row+cover

then i also put a piece of it covering the pumpkin...I uncover it at night and cover it back up around 7:30 in the morning

Best of luck!

7/18/2017 9:17:18 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Noted and thanks fellers for the replies!

7/18/2017 3:16:49 PM

Westmoreland, KS

I should also mention that when it's this hot I've probably had about a 30-40% success rate.

7/18/2017 3:20:18 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I am at 0% so it can't get any worse. lol

7/18/2017 4:23:23 PM

Partlow,Va

Get out there before sunup and open the female yourself. I think the pollen isn't viable for more than an hour or two when its really hot. Also pull the bloom off the next day they get really funky quick. I put a small fan indirectly blowing by the blossom at that time to get her butt dry. Good Luck

7/18/2017 5:46:05 PM

San Diego

I don't have your humidity, but had 100% success even on 100 degree days. Put down trash bag under fruit, then cooler with frozen water bottle inside, outside of cooler a bag of ice all around, shade area, mist the plant like noah's 40 day rain on and off all day long, change water frozen water bottle if needed and keep putting more ice around outside. It's a ton of work and you have to be home, but it plain works.

7/19/2017 12:22:18 AM

Centerburg, OH

Luke,

I pollinated 20 days ago when's the highs were around 85. You might want to try this method to cool the pollinations. I didn't have to reload ice , and it keep the pollination almost to cool.so it should work well in your situation.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=276165

This heat is brutal. Hope you get something set. 80 something days till the weigh off

7/19/2017 3:45:53 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks for the additional replies. Good thing is my plants don't get any sun after 1:45 - 2:00 PM, so they will be 100% shaded then. I can come home each day around 11 to spray them off and change out ice.

7/19/2017 8:45:06 AM

Westmoreland, KS

I saw your updated photos. Love how us midwest boys think...Cold snap in the mid 90's will arrive Sunday.

Can't wait till Sunday, lets hope the "cold" snap lasts!

7/19/2017 12:44:04 PM

Westmoreland, KS

Luke any word on your pollination yet? Do you think it took?

7/21/2017 3:11:51 PM

Upa Creek, MO

No, I'm 100% sure it didn't take. I used 7 males too.

I have another that looks to be going Sunday or maybe Monday. We go from a high of 105 tomorrow to 95 Sunday so hopefully there is a chance then.

I'm wondering if I need to try a different plant's males other then selfing.

7/21/2017 3:33:18 PM

Westmoreland, KS

Can't hurt to try but at 105 and with the crazy humidity it's going to be damn lucky if you get one to take...90's will help tho

7/21/2017 4:19:02 PM

I told this story a few years ago on a similar post 2012 had temps in hundreds I had misters going every 2 minutes to cool leafs. I tried to always keep pumpkins dry long story short I had 6-8 sets on each plant that got wet-they grew rest all aborted

7/21/2017 6:14:16 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks Don, I remember 2012.... that year was so hot I didn't get one to take till August.

7/21/2017 8:23:09 PM