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Newville, PA

I just saw that a female (with 6 lobes) opened up today and I attempted to pollinate. It is about 6 feet up the main vine. Is this too close to the base? Also, we are having alot of rain...will this affect pollination?

6/27/2015 8:02:14 PM

Prairie Du Sac Wi

If that female just opened at six feet i would guess that your plant is a bit to small to be setting a fruit on it .. The rain can affect fruit set. I've seen my friends try to set and grow the first female that opens on a small plant and its not good. Let the plant get some size to it ,then choose your keeper. I know its hard to wait but you'll be happy you did come weigh off time. Keep an eye out for the next female or even the one after that. Then the plant will have the size to push the fruit growth! Just my thoughts....best of luck

6/28/2015 2:09:10 AM

Partlow,Va

The plant probably won't(and you shouldn't) set fruit until you have at least 300sq ft of plant. Also 3,4and 5 lobers are the best but sometimes you have to take what you get.

6/28/2015 11:36:59 AM

Central NY

(Unless yer in the 150sft contest)..

6/28/2015 2:55:04 PM

Aurora, Il

I had about 13 feet on my plant before I tried a pollination. I have limited space in my community garden patch, so 300 sf is not possible. If you check Bubba Presley's diary or even Shazzy's or Don Young's they have a great deal of information. I had 6 females on the main and one on a secondary. The one I chose was number 5 on the main because of the position for growth and six was on a secondary. When number seven appeared I did not have the males available and this one never developed for opening. Yes, the female I chose had 5 lobes which I think indicates possibly the number of cavities where seeds may form, but I may be wrong on this one. I used at least three males to pollinate from the chosen pollinator. The more the merrier!! Pollinators (males) could be cut ahead of the female opening and kept fresh in water. It is important to watch how much you touch the leaves, vine and stems following rain to reduce the spread of diseases. I have had a lot of rain here in Aurora, IL and again tonight. I am watching my plant closely to see if everything takes, but no matter how you try to do things sometimes things may not work out. It would be great to allow your plant to grow more and if necessary wait for more females to arrive. Be gentle on the feeding during fruit set.
best to you during this growing season!!

6/28/2015 9:50:44 PM

Central Illinois

Small plants can cause thin walled fruit due to calcium deficiency I believe that was my problem with this small plant I had, but like above the 150sq ft guys can do it but they are getting a lot of plant in that area too and are some pretty smart fellows.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=224335

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=224990

6/29/2015 8:39:39 AM

Newville, PA

Ok, thanks for all the great info. should I go ahead and remove the female? Or should I wait and see if it actually pollinated first and just let it rot away if it didnt? If I could actually get in the garden between all the rain it would be great!!

6/29/2015 8:53:07 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Waiting till you have a 300 sq ft plant, assuming the plant is in Christmas tree fashion and still growing would mean having a 20 foot main and 15 foot secondaries on either side across the back. Maybe it's just me but I would never wait that long to pollinate. 8 secondary vines on each side behind the pumpkin is the mark I wait for, regardless of size.

6/29/2015 10:44:26 PM

Stanwood, Washington

6' is too close 8' is about minimum 10'-14' Is probably the ideal distance. Be patient you will be there soon.

7/1/2015 5:52:57 PM

Newville, PA

OK. Is it alright to cut the pumpkin off the vine if pollination took? Or is there a more proper way of removing it...I dont want to do something that will cause more harm than good.

7/1/2015 9:49:59 PM