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northern indiana

I have to leave for work by no later than 5:45 am. Is that too early to pollenate? I will soon have flowers starting to open. at 5:00 its light here and I dont know if the flowers will be open at like 5:30 or not but if they are would the females be receptive? otherwise i will only have the weekends and bees.. just a note I have seen only one honeybee this yr and have flowering trees, roses and various other flowering plants on my property. so that may not be a good option. thanks
Eric (hapdad)

6/24/2003 6:07:41 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Depending on the temperature at 5 your males won't be ready to give up their pollen. (too cold)


I have heard from some guys that have schedules like yours and what they do for pollenation. a couple of options:
1) Cut your males the night before and keep them in the fridge - take them out a little earlier so they warm up by 5:15. The pollen specks should be bright yellow and fluffy.

2) Go out to the patch early, cut your males and make sure that you have the heater going on full blast in the truck. Put your males in a vase with some water in the truck. The artificial heat will prompt the pollen to 'pop' and be ready for the female.

Good Luck!

6/24/2003 7:32:09 PM

porterville,california usa

yep, what CEIS said is exactly what i had to do last year. i thought there was something wrong with my flowers. no pollen on it early in the morning. smooth as a babys butt. i threw down a half dozen in disgust. i just happened to look in one about an hour later and it was bustin` out with the yellow fluffy. just apply some heat and sex `em up!

6/25/2003 1:44:43 AM

Western Pa.

Eric,

I, too encountered this problem. Don't you hate when work gets in the way of everything? Last year, I knew that my flowers were ripe and ready to open in a few hours, so I forced them! I tore a few slits in the females, and ripped open the males. Then I closed the females back up and sealed off ends with masking tape. Every flower I pollinated this way took. I hope this doesn't make me guilty of forcible rape of a pumpkin!

6/25/2003 6:41:41 AM

northern indiana

thanks guys.. I was hoping that something would work ( other than me from 6:30 till 3:30.. I will give your idea a try kilr..... you may have just saved me from tons of aborts! Isnt this forum just great?
Eric

6/26/2003 8:20:53 PM