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On a cliff in the desert

How long should the main vine be before a female blossom is ready to pollinate? Both my plants' main vines are over 10 feet long. I haven't seen any female blossoms yet. I added some bloom booster and a little Hi Yield phosphate to my plants yesterday.

7/21/2019 12:58:47 PM

Grittyville, WA

There should be females at that distance normally. It takes healthy roots and a bit of P&K. So you should see some soon hopefully.

7/21/2019 5:47:08 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Having same issue here but my main is a good 15+ feet now with no females in sight.

7/21/2019 11:47:41 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Mine are just starting to set females. I think it is because of the cold weather in March and the first 3 weeks of June. But I am not concerned. Last year they pollinated too soon, and several nice ones rotted before weigh-off time. And often the first ones will abort. I am more concerned with keeping the bugs and powdery mildew from running wild. Cucumber beetles are starting to show up, I lost one secondary vine to a SVB, and August is when the mildew gets bad.

7/22/2019 8:35:07 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I meant to say March, April, May and first 3 weeks of June were cold.

7/22/2019 8:36:46 AM

On a cliff in the desert

I have 1 FP set and 3 female flowers on my plants since using Alaska Bloom Booster treatment after using Espoma Bloom Booster and High Yield Phosphate. I think the problem is in my regular fertilizer. Doesn't have enough P & K.

8/10/2019 5:43:17 PM