From

Location

Message

Date Posted

WNC Usa

Does anyone else let their gourds open pollinate?

8/1/2012 3:34:26 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I hand pollinate the ones that look to have potential, but the bees always get a few as well.

8/1/2012 3:49:39 PM

Jericho Vermont

I try every year but never have the right moths in the evening. I climb a ladder every night this time of year to see what needs a little help. Works well but sometimes hard to explain to the neighbors what I am doing 12 feet on a ladder in the dark.LOL

8/1/2012 5:42:32 PM

Linden, Mi.,

I was there last night (high on the latter) with a light on my hat and one in my hand as the neighbor goes by. I just laugh to my self !

8/1/2012 8:22:49 PM

Springfield, VT

Mine are open pollenated, it is to much additional work after keeping up on the pumpkins. I have some solar lights on the trellis to light the yard which atract the moths and pollenate the flowers. Otherwise I'm on the ladder for a few pollenations.

8/2/2012 11:53:58 AM

WNC Usa

If a gourd is longer than a foot, its been pollinated right?

8/2/2012 12:30:56 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Probably, but they can grow quite long unpollinated. I have a baby that went from 12 to 14 inches overnight, so I think it took.

8/2/2012 12:47:02 PM

Lexington, Ky

In my fifth year of growing LG's, I've never seen a bee remotely close to any of my LG flowers so I have to hand pollinate mine. My flowers most often open up around 7:00 pm...I think the bees are pretty tired or full by then. My third year I had several Spynx Moths that got the job done.

8/3/2012 10:07:05 AM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

Vt John.. my neighbor last year accused me of burying bodies in my patch last year. said the headband lamp made her wonder..LOL

8/6/2012 8:01:19 AM