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Maui, Hawaii

Has any one out there ever had problems with fruit flys? My Big Max that I am using to practice pollinating with is getting attacked to no end. The fruit flies sting the young fruit, once that happens its is all over for that pumpkin, it will stop growing and just rott. I think my only hope is to cover the fruit once it has been polinated??? I am not sure if that will work? Spraying does not seem to help, I have been using "bug-be gone" Any help or ideas would be very greatly appreciated.
Thanks "PD1"

6/18/2002 2:08:11 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey PD, Are you sure the pollination is working. Plants that throw female flowers aren't always ready for pollination. The fruit will abort itself and rot. I had this problem last year due to excessive nitrogen feeding. If you are still pumping nitrogen in back off it. Also excessive heat will cause aborts. Obviously you are you hand pollenating the flowers it shouldn't be done in the heat of the day. Early in the morning only a couple of hours after they open they should be pollenated. The big guys here seem to prefer to do it with multiple males not just one. hope that helps. Chuck

6/18/2002 3:11:44 AM

Maui, Hawaii

Aloha Chuck, thanks for the response. I think you are probably right about the nitrogen, that is probably at least half of my problem, although I do have a problem with the fruit flies as well. The University of Hawaii Agriculture Dept gave me a coulpe of solutions, from wrapping the young fruit with newspaper before it can get stung and untill it gets large enough that it can't be stung. Others methods include Using "bait Traps" but the chemicals used in those are very costly ($90.00 a pint) Anyway thanks again for the advise, PD1

6/19/2002 2:02:30 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey PD1, On the mainland I guess we all have different problems that pop up from fungus to insects. we dread cuke beetles and Vine borers and powdery mildew and mosaic virus. You might find on the Islands it fruit flies and something else. In any case, what you have to fight is what you have to do! Our stuff kills the vines and therefore we have no fruit! If your stuff kills the fruit...You can't weigh the Vines..LOL Hang Loose Chuck

6/19/2002 3:12:12 AM

Long Island,New York

Buy some netting at an army-navy supply store....fine screened material.....wrap the fruit so it can grow a bit yet no access for fruitflies....search netting, mosquito netting, etc .......G

6/19/2002 4:19:20 PM