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milford, CT,

This year I have observed that my pollination rate has greatly increased since I have changed to pollinating to 8:30 am instead of 6:00 am..I noticed the flowers for both male and female seem more puffy than at 6:00 am. Maybe just coincidence but would love to hear what others think?

6/29/2012 11:15:53 AM

Ri

Mark I have found it may not be the girls, but pollen later in the morning seems more plentiful... That refrigeration method for males [picked day before] will be tested this year with work and pollination coinciding... Peter

6/29/2012 11:24:34 AM

Preston CT

Milford, I think you are right. I have to pollinate at 515am and my success rates are horrible every year. So far this year I have lost 3...

6/29/2012 1:42:59 PM

Buffalo, New York

i had no choice but to pollinate at 7am this morning...i would have liked to wait til atleast 8am.

Oh well, there's always the next down the line......7+ days out :(

6/29/2012 5:35:05 PM

northern indiana

The fact is that boys dont like to be cold. I have always had the best luck removing the males I want to use and starting up my vehicle and setting the flowers in front of the heater on high. Once the vehicle warms up pollen pops in just a few minutes and then I make sure to tie the females shut afterward so no bees take the pollen I have given her.I have pollenated at 5am this way and unless there are other circumstances it usually takes.
Is it getting hot during the day where you are? maybe make a little cool tent for the lady by placing some shade over her and some 2 liter soda bottles filled with frozen water next to her to help keep her cool as long as possible.
hapdad

6/29/2012 7:03:31 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

A hair dryer work wonders on the males

6/29/2012 9:18:47 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Cutting males the evening before opening with stems attached and placing them in a jug of water on a sunny window sill provides some really nice fluffy pollen in the morning. Use a very sharp knife to cut the petals away from the blossom before applying the pollen.

8:30 to 9:00 AM seems to be prime time for me as well, as the female has had time to dry from any morning moisture. I simply cover the female the night before with a cheap styrofoam cooler and leave it on the day of pollination through the following morning and then cut away the petals to prevent mold.

I f you ABSOLUTELY cannot be there to pollinate the following morning, you can force the female open very carefully on the evening before and pollinate. Just don't forget to pick the males a day earlier than you normally would.

6/30/2012 1:57:13 AM

Muddy Waters

They seem to open when the sun first hits them right now thats 7:30 here

6/30/2012 1:53:38 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Last year I had to pollinate with a head lamp cause I went into work earlier. I had to trust that they were supposed to open that day, and force them open. Now, anytime after 7am works for me.

6/30/2012 2:28:38 PM