From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Belgium/brussels

Hi !
I was wondering how I have to store the male flowers that I have " cutted " off the vine for the pollination next day...
Should I cut it off, put it in water and then in the fridge ? Or cut it off, let it bloom in the kitchen and then put it in the fridge ? Would the pollen get not too wet for pollination then ? And how long can you keep them in the fridge ?

Thanks in advance.
Love, stijn.

6/22/2003 4:06:09 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

Hi Stijn, I'm no pollination expert but I can tell you how I do it. I store the the already open males in the fridge in a plastic container with the lid just open a little. Make sure to pick the male at first light or even sooner. I wish I was at that point now, I'm around 3 weeks behind everybody else in the midwest. My plants look the best they ever have, even though I got a late start I have high hopes for this year. Best of luck......Dean o

6/22/2003 8:31:03 AM

Phoenix Az

Ive pollinated 4 pumpkins using flowers that I closed with a dog tag ring and used them the next day. I put them in a glass of water in the fridge. all 4 pumpkins are growing.

6/22/2003 10:38:31 AM

Utah (Wolfleym@aol.com)

I usually just cover the night before. But when I have a lot of polinating to organize, I cut them the night before. I put them in the fridge in a cup/glass of water.

They do not usually open in the fridge because it is too cold. I take them out and set them on the counter. They open naturally in o more than 30 minutes... perfect for polinating and you can do it on your own timetable (within reason).

Brent W.

6/22/2003 3:48:20 PM

syracuse, ny

y'all don't even have to put them in the fridge.
if you cut the ones off that you know will open the next morning and put them in glasses or cups of water with a clear plastic container over them, they will be up and waiting for you to do your thing. really, really open!
well, maybe i'm afraid i'll get yelled at for putting non-groceries in the refrigerator, looks too much like a lab experiment or something! lol. lo l. and, most of my pollinations have occurred from 9 am to noon with no problemos. many variations on this topic. yay!

6/23/2003 6:59:22 PM

Fort Edward, New York

I'd like to know how you pollinate pumpkins. I'm new and never knew you could do this. It appears I have some very large and healthy plants. From past experience, I'd like to more than one pumpkin, that just big plants. Thanks, Hurb

6/25/2003 10:05:14 AM

Brent, my flowers have been out of the fridge for 40 minutes and show no signs of opening!!! We'll wait and see.

Hurb - i'm assuming you know the difference between male and female flowers. If not, here's a link with pics.
http://www.giantpumpkin.com/pollination.html?

Anywho, you just take the anther from the male and rub it, along with the yellow pollen, on the stigma from the female. Some people use a paint brush, etc. to transfer the pollen. If you want to control genetics, you'll have to protect the males and females from being exposed to insects before and after pollination by tying them shut or covering with a baggie, etc. Ideas for that are in the "general discussion" message board, in the message "female flowers" that I posted. Hope that helps.

6/25/2003 12:12:01 PM

Sorry to hear that Brigitte. Please set them in a sunny window and see if anything happens. If they still don't open, I would guess they were not mature enough.

This only works with blossoms that were going to open the next day naturally.

Are they wilted at all? If so, maybe they got too cold/frozen in the fridge???

I am curious to know what happens...
Brent W.

6/25/2003 1:10:11 PM

I put them in the window a little while ago; it's cloudy, but at least they'll get some natural light. One is a little limp, but the other seems to be opening a little. They were mature, but not open, when I picked them. Time will tell.

6/25/2003 1:19:10 PM