From

Location

Message

Date Posted

San Jose California

After pollination, I have always covered the female with a
clear plastic baggie, tied off at the bottom, and seem to have had good success, but I now see more people tying off the top of the female with no plastic bag. Should I change over to that technique?

6/14/2012 2:52:54 PM

Valencia Spain

this sort of my second year and i covered mine with socks till the flower dies

6/14/2012 2:54:38 PM

Stanwood, Washington

I don't think it matters as long as you keep the bees out. The plastic gives you a little extra security. The plastic won't hurt the plant at all.

6/14/2012 3:12:01 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I'm not sure of the temps and humidity there, but if I did that I would get rot within a couple days. Many growers tie flower shut for one day, then remove all the petals for air circulation since mold and rot can develop quickly in hot and humid conditions. This leaves the blossom end exposed and dry. See tip 4 from Pap. I do it after 24 hours.

http://bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=14&p=430583

6/14/2012 3:31:55 PM

South Hero, VT

I second the Luke post. The purpose of the blossom covering is to prevent random pollination. After 12-24 hours, the pollination is either good or it isn't. Some growers might put a roof over the pollinated blossom, or put a fan on it to keep the blossom dry, but this is probably overkill.

6/14/2012 5:40:03 PM

President - GPC

I'll third Luke. I use ladieZ nylonZ and TWINE....go ahead and laugh....lol They breathe, they expand aZ needed, and one can use them over and over. I have watched a biZZZY bee force itZ way into a tied flower. NylonZ keep out event the littlest cuke beetle...and we know how they like flowerZ and who knowZ where they been.

Dont go unprotected...... Dress for success

6/14/2012 5:59:37 PM

Colorado

I dont like the baggies cause it can get elevated temps in there.Tie off the blossum and place something waterproof over the baby to shade it.You want to keep it cool for the first three days or so.

6/14/2012 6:31:14 PM

South Hero, VT

I forgot about the nylon anklet trick.


Those bees and sons of bees can be persistent.

6/14/2012 7:05:45 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Yes, shade too. I'm dreading pollinating mid July this year, but I'll use frozen gallons of water adjacent to the plant and come home at lunch and replace the now melted and warm ones. It worked last year and I pollinated the 1165 in mid July with temps pushing 100 and high humidity. Fans help too.

Good idea wih the nylon Wiz to have a for sure thing.

6/14/2012 7:11:56 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

go to a shoe store and steal some of those little nylons they have..hint hint

6/14/2012 8:51:55 PM

South Hero, VT

Pap Wallace tells the story of how he and Ron ran out of ice one hot July morning and used a frozen chicken(the whole thing) to keep a pollination cool during the day under a cooler.

6/14/2012 9:48:31 PM

East Jordan, MI

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=131158

6/15/2012 2:17:55 AM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

I've purchased some mosquito netting that I have cut into squares to gently wrap around the female flower. I'll tie it off on the stem with Velcro tape. In terms of cooling it will depend on the daily temperature and cloud cover. If it's hot and sunny I'll shade the flower and place a bag of ice near bag. I'd use a frozen chicken but am afraid I might attract varmints ;)

6/15/2012 7:39:54 AM

Rhode Island

hey wiz---those fish net nylons dont count do they?

6/15/2012 9:43:01 AM

Hampstead, NC 28443

I use those paint filters. The same ones I use to put castings in for tea.

6/15/2012 11:59:43 PM

Portsmouth, RI

I have always used a white styrofoam cup. The flower petals keeps it on until it's time to remove it. Bob

6/16/2012 10:21:40 AM

Westford, MA

Watch the humidity in the bag on the hot days.

I'm with the WIZ.
I put on the panty hose to keep the bugs off.

I use the "cotton" string to tie the flower closed.
Twine is too stiff, the cottony string sticks to the hairs on the petals so you just have to wrap it around a bunch of times and you don't have to tie a knot.

pap, the fishnets don't work, the bugs always sting me thru those big holes.

6/18/2012 11:56:25 AM

President - GPC

I used to use styrofoam cupZ...until I found them blown off over night..and my pollination ruined...

Just be carefull at work....when you talk about nylonZ, tying femaleZ up, forcing them open, hittin em with 3 maleZ and having pumpkin sex....HR folks juZt dont have a sense of humor.....

True Story.......

6/18/2012 12:37:58 PM

San Jose California

Thanks all for the help---no more plastic bags for me!

6/19/2012 3:04:16 PM

President - GPC

Oh and PapZ.....Savin the fish netZ for the next BIG SHOW in VegaZ..cant let Iceman out do me....

6/19/2012 3:18:50 PM