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Central Missouri

Ok I went to one of those web sites that was posted about telling the difference between a male/female flower-(Uncle Scott's Patch) and he gave step by step how to do it but I have another question. After he put the pollen from the male onto the female flower he put a rubber band back around the female flower and then that was it, he didn't tell anymore. Does anyone else do this? Then he mentioned something about putting ice bottles around the female, what is that about? Sorry to be so ignorant on this but this will be my first year growing pumpkins. Thanks!

Lindsay

4/4/2003 10:22:55 AM

Edmonton, Canada

No need to be sorry, everyone has to start somewhere! Many people do use an elastic band. This prevents pollen from anouther plant from getting into the female. Many people want to be sure of the cross they will produce, and quite often, bees can bring in pollen from an undesired plant.

Ice bottles are used in conditions of extreme heat. Atlantic Giants don't pollinate very well when it's really hot, (over 90 F) and the ice is used to cool things down a bit around the female.

4/4/2003 10:27:46 AM

Mineral Virginia

Sorry Lindsay. You need to keep the female banded for a couple of days to insure the bees stay out. If it is going to be warm during the day when you pollinate, you need to fill a couple of two litre bottles with water, place them on both sides of the female and gentle lower a styrofoam cooler over the female and bottles. After several days, you should be ok to take the bottles off. Of course, when the bottles thaw out you need to put fresh ones out.

You're not out of the woods yet though; they can abort just about anytime. I've had them take off great then right about basketball size, turn brown and deflate.

I have pics of the icing procedure, I'll try to get them up. Feel free to drop me a note if I can be of any further help

Scott

4/4/2003 11:07:59 AM

Central Missouri

Thank you, that makes sense now.

Lindsay

4/4/2003 2:21:15 PM