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Indiana

Was wondering when you hand pollinate do you put the pollen in the holes of the lobe or rub it all over it. I am using a small paint brush for hand pollinating. Seems my second year growing I am having trouble getting any to set. Not sure what it is maybe the rain is washing it out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Todd

7/17/2003 8:08:00 AM

Cologne / Germany

I take the complete male flower and rub it all over, then reclose the female. If it´s rainy I always place something above, eg. umbrellas. Last year humidity was my main pollination killer.
Good quality pollen is fluffy and should fall off by itself. Take some ready males inside for next morning to be sure.

7/17/2003 8:25:17 AM

Western Pa.

Shep,

If I have them, I use multiple males to pollinate the female, and I gently dab the pollen all over the lobes. If you trim the yellow part off of the male flower, it becomes "nature's paintbrush" and can be directly applied without a manmade brush! Keep trying!

7/17/2003 8:27:03 AM

churchville, ny

Shep-I tear the male flower off the vine and then place it upside down over the top of the female and tap with my finger to get the pollen from the male stamen onto the female pistil ... I then tear off the petals of the male (while it is still upside down over the female - you can actually see the pollen falling to the pistil) ... then to be sure of successful pollination I touch the stamen all over the pistil. It has worked well for me-good luck. Tom

7/17/2003 3:04:13 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Kilr: I liked your idea on opening the female early in the morning when one has to go to work and can't wait for it to open on it's own. With enough experience on knowing the night before which ones will open, it saves coming home from work and discovering it's been wide open all day.

7/17/2003 4:51:46 PM

Western Pa.

I have also found that by "forcing" the female, the pumpkin can successfully be pollinated a day or two before it would normally open. This comes in handy if your supply of male flowers is good today, but may not be so good a few days later! It works for me!

7/17/2003 8:55:04 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Roger that...I have to pollinate at 5am.

7/17/2003 10:02:27 PM

porterville,california usa

sandwich baggies work for me at keeping the rain/sprinkler water out. Kilrs` method of application is the one i found to work best for me.

7/18/2003 3:53:55 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I put compression hose (I work in the medical field) around the females at night and place a small plastic cup over that to prevent moisture from rain or dew condensation.
I had to force open a 951 Castellucci a few minutes ago. I pick the males the night before that should open and place 'em in the fridge. In the early am I put them on the car window defroster to warm up and then I have dry fluffy pollen for a dry female....had to force the male open this morning too but it works well.
I can't remember who posted the idea about the car defroster but thanks!

7/18/2003 6:16:08 AM