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Poulsbo, WA

Hi all,

Just a question in regards to my plant growth. It is now 7-8-2001 and my plant is growing like crazy, but the main vine is not long enough yet to pollinate a flower. I have plenty of flowers closer in, but my main vine hasn't hit then ten foot mark yet. Should I just wait it out? I guess I will end up being a bit behind on the growth at the end. What do you think?

7/8/2001 11:54:40 PM

Sloughhouse, CA

I would go ahead and pollinate now. You might wait to do a secondary vine at ten ft.

7/10/2001 12:42:32 AM

Poulsbo, WA

Thanks for the response Suzy. I think I missed the windows of opportunity to pollinate those first flowers, but do now have two more female flowers about ready to bloom at about the six foot range. My biggest problem is that I don't have any blooming male flowers yet. What do I do? I think the first flowers may have got hit by bees cause I didn't cover them and they are getting bigger than golf balls now. That cross pollination may not be the best.

7/10/2001 2:01:49 AM

Herndon, VA

If the bees pollinated a few don't worry about it. The pollinator will not affect the size of this year's pumpkin; only the seeds that it produces. I would keep everything that pollinates until you are sure you have a better candidate to hold on to. You can always cull it later. --Bruiser

7/10/2001 8:42:24 AM