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Minnesota

What do you use to cover the female the night before you think it will open? I use a baggy, sealed almost tight with a few small holes for air. I know some people use a cup, do you just put a styrofoam cup over the top? don't you worry the cup will blow off? will the bee's just go around the cup? any new ways of doing this?

7/9/2012 12:22:03 PM

Austin MN

I use a baggy and than take it off the next day.

7/9/2012 12:47:02 PM

Colorado

I use little rubber bands on the end of the flower.I bought a bag of "super stretch" little bands at walgreens and they work perfect.I walk around with a bunch of them in my pocket and also close the males the night before the big event.

7/9/2012 12:50:27 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

I use paper sandwich bags tied with a twist tie.

7/9/2012 1:41:13 PM

Western NY

a strip of floating row cover. grabs nicely to the prickly parts, and delicate enough that I don't damage the flower parts on reclosing.

7/9/2012 1:45:58 PM

Hot West Tennessee

The paint strainers work for me, only if rain is not forecast. Then I use sandwich bags.

7/9/2012 2:13:17 PM

Ohio

I get my welder and cutting torch out, and rent a forklift for about 350 to 450 mason block im going to use, I also make sure i have plenty of 1/2 inch to 2 inch metal channel for all the frame work. (20 year shingles are optional, i prefer 30 year)
Now, the way I build mine is , I start building it into like a bomb shelter type structure, welding it with double welds on every joint of the frame work,almost air tight ,
and this pretty much gives me all the protection from any bees trying to get in and ruin a great genetic cross that i had.

7/9/2012 2:52:24 PM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

The foot section of a old pair of women's nylons. The lighter colors work best.

7/9/2012 2:57:49 PM

Ashby, MA

I use a large 16oz Styrofoam cup. I put the cup over the flower and then use a small bamboo stick next to the cup. I attach the cup to the bamboo stick with an elastic band. I do this for female as well as male flowers. After pollination I use an elastic to gently hold together the pedals of the female flower. I place the cup back over the flower. Then 24 hours later I remove the cup and pedals of the flower.

7/9/2012 3:06:30 PM

Cincinnati,OH

Brooks your getting a little nutty, you been hanging around the Wiz ?

7/9/2012 3:45:31 PM

Cincinnati,OH

This is how I do it.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=161293

7/9/2012 3:53:17 PM

Cincinnati,OH

Wiz'z interpretation
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=183446

7/9/2012 3:58:43 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

Basically the same as Andy, I tie a piece of string around the unopened female first, then drape about a 6" square of floating row cover over it, fold down the edges and tie it on. The first piece of string is probably overkill the night before, but it comes in handy when reclosing the pollinated flower so I can easily get the piece of row cover back over it for the rest of the day. It then helps to shade the flower that first day too.

7/9/2012 4:01:27 PM

Mulino, Oregon

Red Solo Cup all the way! I've never had one come off because it will go all the over the flower and fruit. I'm sure we can add a line to the song!

7/9/2012 4:57:52 PM

Rhode Island

i use my wifes old bras. i get two or three pollinations outta each cup.
i have friends that also use their wifes cast offs as shade protection over the young fruit.
panties also make great wind socks.
pap

7/9/2012 7:43:06 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Paint strainers here. Just careful not to just yank them off, I pulled the flower right off... Twice!

7/9/2012 9:54:36 PM

Minnesota

Thanks, I think I'll stay with the baggie, I'll use twist ties.

7/9/2012 11:57:19 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I use new panty hose(I'm not fortunate enough to have a wife...maybe I'll look for one tomorrow;-). I put a wooden close pin on the tip of the flower, then cover with a regular-sized panty hose. I tie the bottom of the panty hose with a thin rubber band that I've cut to form one strip. I do the same to cover the males.
At the local Walmart I can get a small plastic container, with two panty hose for 33 cents....not bad!

7/10/2012 12:39:02 AM

Ohio

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!! PAP!!!!!

Ron, yes, Wiz just left my house, Biz threw him over his shoulder and carried him out, he had half a can of budweiser and couldnt even say his own name. (Wiz is not a big drinker)

7/11/2012 12:06:21 AM

Deer Park WA

Dixi Cups here...

7/11/2012 10:59:05 AM