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West Paris Me.

I have a pollination coming up and it is going to be in the 90's. How close do you put the bottle to the female. I want it to do some good, but I am nervous about getting it too cool. thanks

7/2/2013 10:25:06 AM

Georgia

I've pollinated many times in the 90's so don't sweat it too much. Ha ha!

I like to build a little cocoon around the pumpkin, nothing fancy, just a few walls of Styrofoam - perhaps a foot from the fruit - to hold in a bit of the cool. I use blue ice blocks maybe 6 inches from the bud. Stick a thermometer in there. The one time I did that sure enough I had dropped the temp about 10 degrees.

Honestly, keep it shaded and you'll likely have success whatever else you do.

I'd say about 4 inches from the fruit is what you want. But I'm strictly amateur so now I'll let the pros set us straight. GL!

7/2/2013 10:34:01 AM

West Paris Me.

thanks

7/2/2013 11:45:36 AM

Slate River,Ont. Canada

I keep them shaded as soon as I see them. I'm sure direct sun on a pea size kin can't be good for them.Since I started doing this pollenation has been 100%.Don't wait til flower opens to start worrying about temps.Keep tips of main shaded.Works for me.
Best of luck!

7/2/2013 5:04:18 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Kathy, your goal in shading and iceing the newly pollinated pumpkins area is to create somewhat of a micro climate that gives you the best possible chances for a successful polination. Personally i pollinated in the 90s and used bags of Ice around the fruit surrounded by a styrofoam cooler. I kept the fruits temps as close to 70 degrees as I could.I also put a small fan on low to get some of the cooler air moving. So far it appears that this has worked good and the first pollination seems to be going in the right direction. I hope this helps.

7/2/2013 9:55:24 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Kathy, your goal in shading and iceing the newly pollinated pumpkins area is to create somewhat of a micro climate that gives you the best possible chances for a successful polination. Personally i pollinated in the 90s and used bags of Ice around the fruit surrounded by a styrofoam cooler. I kept the fruits temps as close to 70 degrees as I could.I also put a small fan on low to get some of the cooler air moving. So far it appears that this has worked good and the first pollination seems to be going in the right direction. I hope this helps.

7/2/2013 9:57:40 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Kathy, your goal in shading and iceing the newly pollinated pumpkins area is to create somewhat of a micro climate that gives you the best possible chances for a successful polination. Personally i pollinated in the 90s and used bags of Ice around the fruit surrounded by a styrofoam cooler. I kept the fruits temps as close to 70 degrees as I could.I also put a small fan on low to get some of the cooler air moving. So far it appears that this has worked good and the first pollination seems to be going in the right direction. I hope this helps.

7/2/2013 9:57:43 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Those little cheap styrofoam coolers are the way to go. I've used them both ways, sometimes I have to put a warm bottle in there. One of those cheap meat thermometers stuck in the top will let you monitor the inside temp.

7/2/2013 11:31:47 PM

West Paris Me.

thank you all very much

7/3/2013 12:07:56 AM

Stanwood, Washington

I think this is pretty slick. it keeps the ice away from the plant and creates airflow because the cool air sinks. If it ever got above 80 degrees here I might try it.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=201730

Scroll forward to the next entry as well and you can see he ice in the top.

7/3/2013 3:55:53 AM

Omaha, Ne.

Wow that is cool. I just shade, and use the ice for the drinks

7/3/2013 7:54:50 AM