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Location

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Date Posted

Polson, Montana

I'm growing the 1468.5 Stevens inisde a greenhouse and it is looking great. The problem is that the male flowers are all small, have no stamen or pollen. The 1303 Sweet is next to it and is producing big male flowers with lots of pollen. I have pollinated 2 females on the 1468.5 Stevens but wonder if they will not abort. One pumpkin is about grapefruit size. Has anyone else had this problem and what has been your outcome?

6/27/2011 12:09:26 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Sorry to hear, my only experience with no pollen males was that the female would only grow to about 30 inches or less and then abort. I hope things go better for your 1468.

6/27/2011 1:37:29 PM

Bloomington, IN

Chances are good that your abortion rate will be high, but I think there is still a chance it could produce. My one and only plant last year had this problem and I still managed to get a 594.5 pounder off a side vine.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=138282
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=147479

Pollinate every female that opens and don't be afraid to settle for a side vine kin if you have to. Better that than no pumpkin on it. Don't be surprised if the pumpkin ends up not having any seeds either. Good luck.

P.S. I think this situation happens to be how they grow seedless watermelon, or is very similar anyways, lol.

6/27/2011 2:08:41 PM

Tinykinville

got exact same thing griz, males wont develop, plant is awesome though, lost first poll on it second seems to be takin but time will tell, got two more chances on main soon including this morning.

6/28/2011 6:27:13 AM

Polson, Montana

Cut off first pollination it wasn't growing; second reached cantelope size and the stem is splitting in several places, third doesn't look like it is gonna grow past baseball size. I will soon take the plant out. compost.

7/9/2011 7:40:11 PM

Mulino, Oregon

I did get some good males early on my 1468 but since then it has basically quit providing males all together.

7/11/2011 5:17:02 PM