From

Location

Message

Date Posted

This morning I woke to a male open and female open and wouldn't you know the kids kept me busy and I missed my chance!!! Do you think there will be others? The plant hasn't been growing too much in the heat so I 'm hoping it will start now that the heat wave has passed. Any thoughtss? I'm in zone 4 so I'm hoping I still have time to make a match before Halloween!

8/20/2002 8:48:33 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Bee's might have done it for ya! It's been known to happen. Sure if it throwing females there will be more. Time is running short but still plenty for a good one for halloween! Grow em Big! Chuck

8/20/2002 10:51:34 PM

Thanks, Chuck! I'm tryin'! How would you know if it was fertilized by a bee? Can you tell right away? Does the big green ball at the bottom grow, or the flower? Just making sure I know what I'm looking at! =)

8/21/2002 3:35:36 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Let me tell you Cremin, if you got bees fertilizing your pumpkin, I'll buy those hives. I have to do it myself all season long. Name your price(:^}> Actually, to answer your question, you will know if the bees have "pollinated" the fruit when the "big green ball at the bottom" starts growing while at the same time retaining a shine to its outside. If it is slow to grow or not at all and/or loses its shine, the bees were busy elsewhere too. You'll have another chance soon. Have fun!

8/21/2002 8:10:08 PM

Sloughhouse, CA

I guess I have good bees because all 7 pumpkins were done by the bees. One is a 300 pounder now.

8/22/2002 2:25:42 AM

Yreka, CA

I notice that the most active bees by far in my garden are the big black bumble bees. Nary a honey bee to be seen usually. Patience

8/22/2002 2:54:50 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Your right Patience, I rarely see any honry bees it's either the big bumble bees or these little tiny bees about half the size of honey. They show up about fifteen minutes before the bumble bees and hit the flower five at a time. Cremin if the blossoms were close don't be surprised if it was done. Should be showin growth by now! Chuck

8/22/2002 8:14:08 AM

Thanks to all for the helpful info...I didn't know it but, I have a pumpkin growing! =) Just one so far but one is fine...I'm just so happy to see the "fruit of my efforts" be it ever so small!! Thank you, thank you. I think I might have "dead headed" it off not knowing it was there if not for my pals at BigPumpkin.com!

8/22/2002 12:04:27 PM

porterville, calif.

The Big Black Bumble are Carpetner bees. They are great pollinaters. They will get the job done. So wiil those little mason bees. I just love to watch them as they go around my garden they are very percise in what they do. They know which flower they have been to. I did an article for the Master Garden program Im in here in Tulare County on bees. It published in 5 newspapers here. Im really fasanated with how differeny types of bees go about the garden. Ive learned to espect them and not be so afraid of them. I know which one will sting and which that don,t. If you have the Big Black Bumble Bees in your garden are and want more just plant sweeet peas, they love them

8/22/2002 3:05:38 PM