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Williamsburg,KY

How does one make the pick for female or male when it comes to pollination? What should I look for when I make my decision? Im sure this has been discussed before but Im not sure how I would search for this. This will be my first year growing for a real competition. Any advise is welcomed. Thanks,Croley Bend

5/8/2008 12:42:08 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

CB, not sure what you mean by "make the pick for female or male" but look in some of the grower diaries from previous years and have a look what a "normal" female flower looks like with good symmetrics and in a good spot on your plant for easy care and maintenance.

Here is an example of a nice female flower; (thanks Russ)

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=68428

As far as male flowers...I use 3 or 4 to pollinate the female with and they look like this; (thanks Martin)

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=42450


Earlier I posted a link in the new growers section that should help you with pollination and more, it is at;

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/howto/pollen.htm

and;

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/growing.htm

5/8/2008 2:06:48 PM

Rapid City, SD

read this croley
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=14&p=124696

then read this
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/HowTo/Pollinate/

should help ya bit

5/8/2008 2:14:14 PM

Pinedale, WY

He might be referring to position on the plant too.

5/8/2008 4:32:33 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

I think he means " how do you choose the male ?" out of al of your plants? Maybe thats what he is asking?

5/8/2008 4:38:05 PM

Rhode Island

picking the female to me means picking one of the first three pollinated on the main vine.
the one we pick will be the most agressive, best early shape and also must have a manageable stem angle off the main.
we pick the pollinator based on the genetics we want to introduce into the female ( the pumpkin)
this is a cross that was planned long before the plants went into the ground.

5/8/2008 6:34:03 PM

Rhode Island

the males show up first ,are on long skinny stems and can onlt be used the day they open up

5/8/2008 6:35:54 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

LOL..."He" is a she...you grow croley!!! Peace, Wayne

5/8/2008 8:15:59 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks guys, I will read every post that you listed, thanks. What I meant was how to choose the parents of my new born pumpkin. I know the looks of a female and male flower. I understand the position of the fruit. I think Pap got it, that is what I want to understand. So, you pick a good female and use the male for passing on good genetics. Gotcha! I really appreciate everyones time and energy to help me out. No big deal on the "he", my first name is Stevann, and I have been mistaken as a male for years...its really funny when I get a letter addressed: Dear Mr. Ann. LOL!! Croley

5/9/2008 11:51:12 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Ann, just checked your diary...WOW...that is a very nice piece of land that you have!! Lots of room for many plants...I am jealous!!

Glenn

5/9/2008 7:47:43 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks Glenn, we love it here, the land is what is called here bottom land, since at one time it was part of the river. We have good luck with our garden, only part is for pumpkins and watermelons. And the name is Stevann, or was that a joke...lol. Croley

5/10/2008 8:31:37 AM