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Israel

I have a suspicion that the annual removal of male flowers after the setting of the chosen one could be detramental to the overall plant health. This year I have left the males to do their thing and although their are many it appears not to be slowing down any the growth of "Alice" the pumpkin and could be helping keep disease out. The removal of the flowers has to be an injury to the plant and where theres injury theres an openess to infection from mildews and others. Small injuries but may of them if all the males are removed. Any thoughts? THANKS 894LB out there, could be my personal best yet :-))))))

5/12/2018 10:57:43 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I remove them when they are little, along with the tertiary sprouts. No harm, no foul, I’d rather get rid of them early than deal with rotting flower petals and rotting flower stems.

5/12/2018 3:52:57 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Male flowers attract cucumber beetles, and beetles bring disease. I try to remove the male flowers, but some always get through. The only benefit is that the flowers concentrate them so you can get more with your insecticide sprays.

5/12/2018 10:54:33 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

I wonder what pumpkin pests are in Israel? Is that the country Israel that you are in holy pumpkin?

I also have noticed cucumber beetles are quite attracted to the pumpkin flowers. Maybe my logic is flawed, but I leave the male flowers on the plants for just this reason. I don't use insecticides on my plants, as I grow vegetables in this garden as well. So I figure if I leave the male flowers on, the cuke beetles will congregate there, instead of eating the pumpkin leaves. I know many of you use insecticides, so your strategy may be different.

5/13/2018 2:03:06 AM

Grittyville, WA

A large plant probably produces a few pounds of flowers...? I can’t imagine removing all the males would affect the final result by more than that amount but who knows.. The make flowers die quickly btw so there is still a disease entry point as the flowers wither the plant still has to protect itself from any rot. I’ve seen the picked flower stalks fill with water which could then theoretically cause rot.

Ps I think you are doing well because you picked a good seed. Give that seed some credit... 1803 Hoelke right?!

5/13/2018 3:45:45 AM

Putnam Ct.

North Shore is correct. If your done pollinating or not using a particular plant for breeding . Remove all male flowers as soon as they show to put the energy into growing the plant and not waste it on developing flowers you wont use.

5/13/2018 6:51:56 AM

Israel

1803 Hoelke it is. all hats off to the Hoelke. This is my 5th year growing and the biggest plant yet. Though the dreaded downey mildew is back as is every summer and having to deal with tha now.
Good luck to you all !!!!!!!

5/13/2018 9:46:09 PM

Ontario, Canada

We figured that if we remove all the flowers after pollination, that it will help save many bees. Who knows what insects or how many bees visited that flower that you just sprayed with a contact pesticide. That is one of the main reason we remove the flowers.

5/14/2018 7:32:20 AM