From

Location

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Date Posted

Mercersburg, PA

I think i remember (according to past boards) that the best time to pollinate is about 9-9:30 AM, but this is impossible due to my work schedule. I had a failed pollination last week at 11 AM. Would 6:20 work in anyone's opinion? that is the latest i can get before leaving for work. Or should I just let the bees do the work? My preference is to try and control the cross so i can use the seed next year with a successful pollination/pumpkin.
jjlorson@yahoo.com

6/29/2010 9:21:50 AM

Cedar Lake, IN.

I've been pollinating mine at 6:00 to 6:30 am. No problems.

6/29/2010 1:30:22 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

I pollinate at 6 AM and never had issues. Usually the males are just starting to break open for the day and the pollen is fresh and ready to go. This is the best time IMO. Just like when you walk into a store when it opens in the morning everything is stocked and ready for business.

6/29/2010 1:48:24 PM

Western PA

I have had good success between 6-7 am. Be sure to use several males if it is possible.

6/29/2010 1:52:42 PM

East Jordan, MI

I pollinated one at 4:15, it didn't. I pollinated 5 at 6:15 and they all took.

6/29/2010 9:19:49 PM

Navarre,OH

Are you serious cntryboy? Maybe thats why my marrow didnt take since i did it like after 8 lol

6/30/2010 12:53:30 AM

Mercersburg, PA

ok, sounds good. I just thought maybe she would be more ready later in the morning rather than earlier based on the last female not being open at 6:30. But I also thought that sometimes the bees are very active early in the morning at least trying to get water. thanks for the replies.

6/30/2010 8:19:05 AM

East Jordan, MI

Billium,
I didn't have a lot of choice. I normally leave for work at 4:30. The first pollination was a test and the petals on the female brittle, and the pumpkin never did grow. So I worked it out so I could come in 2 hours late but that was as far as I could push it. (still pretty early - just breaking dawn). If that one hadn't worked, I would have taken vacation, which would have cut into my days (4 out of 5 remianing ones pollinated on a weekday), but it worked out ok.

7/1/2010 10:11:06 PM