From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Hadley Ny

Had a female that did not want to completely open this morning. Only opened about 3/4 of an inch. Gave it a couple hours of sunlight and then put a clear plastic cup over it for about 20 minutes and it might have opened a touch more.Petals on the flower seemed small to me. I pollinated around 10am. Could only hit the top and center of lobes. I've pollinated a couple hundred plants and have never seen this before. I tied shut and covered with solo cup and shaded baby. Should I try to pollinate again tomorrow?

6/25/2024 11:09:30 AM

Kutztown, PA

Hoff, If they're open at all then they should be ready to pollinate. The warmth and sunlight, without the cup probably would have worked better. Anyway, if it were me and I was sure I got some pollen on it, I wouldn't mess with it. I put a frozen cottage cheese container next to mine with a half of a cheap styrofoam cooler over it when it's hot out. Can't speak to the pedal size thing, but doubt it's meaningful with respect to pollination. Mine are usually about 25% open at around 6 a.m. and if, not tied off or cupped, would be fully open by 8 a.m., especially if the suns shining. Good luck!

[Last edit: 06/25/24 1:49:25 PM]

6/25/2024 1:48:30 PM

Grittyville, WA

It might be low on nutrients or just bad luck that its out of sync. No one has really duscussed this but maybe its possible to pollinate one like this in the evening?

6/25/2024 2:34:07 PM

Hadley Ny

I think I got it figured out. I think it was just a "pre-pucker" and not ready yet. Didn't look like it was yesterday morn when I looked at it and nephew said same thing late afternoon when home from work but have been surprised before by early openings. Petals felt non-pliable also and what I could see inside didn't look ripe. Nephew just called at 3 and said nothing changed. My money is on her opening in the morn and will repollinate. Will find out soon!

6/25/2024 3:25:19 PM

Hadley Ny

Brandon nutrients are fine..believe it's just out of sync..already pulled 2 open babys off it and they were both perfect 4 lobe as this one is looking

6/25/2024 3:28:44 PM

Hadley Ny

No viable 1747.5s so we are just gonna let it ride. Don't want to mix pollinations. Hopefully it takes. We can always Pollinate next one out and see what happens.

6/25/2024 5:35:45 PM

Kutztown, PA

Hoff,

Maybe the extreme heat we've had is having that affect????

6/26/2024 9:01:00 AM

Hadley Ny

She opened this morning as I thought it would but no viable 1747.5s. Hope it takes. If not there is a baby 5-6' further out.

6/26/2024 9:50:30 AM

East Sussex, UK

I've had similar. The "pre-pucker" can be deceptive.
Separate question: how early in the day is too early to pollinate? Here in England, the sun rises at 4:45 but it is still often only 50 degrees or so. Would this be too cold for a pollination to take?

6/26/2024 10:27:26 AM

Hadley Ny

First time on the pre-pucker for me and I might have been a little light on how many pollinations I've done. If they open early or you pry them open gently you will get pollination.I've gone out with the flashlight early to pic males and pollinated at firatlight (barely light enough to see)before the bees get active. Wouldn't worry about the temp. I'm in the Foot Hills of the Adirondacs and i'm supposed to be in the hi 40s at night. Commercial growers do it. It works..listened to some commercial growers across the states. Pollinate away as early as you want. I always liked to get a little in the morning no matter what the temp was!!

[Last edit: 06/26/24 1:20:01 PM]

6/26/2024 1:16:34 PM

Kutztown, PA

Sam, I've always pollinated early in the a.m. around 6 a.m. Here in PA its most often 60-65 degrees at that time. I doubt 50 degrees would be bad as long as it warms up during the day. Some folks put male flowers in the fridge overnight before using them the next day and they're successful.

6/26/2024 3:40:07 PM