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Mount Vernon, Washington

Is there a general rule of how many males are needed to pollinate a female? Will one due? I read 3 to 4 but is that really necessary if the pollination sticks? And a follow up question, does it really matter what time one pollinates? I read before 9 a.m. but is that because of the heat of the day (not a real problem here in PacNW)? or is that because of the bees?

7/6/2012 2:18:37 AM

Muddy Waters

Temps are the main reason on a cool day a flower could be pollinated for a longer period.Hot days the window close's fast without ice & such.Bees shouldn't matter your flowers should be bagged.If there not bagged you really should not claim the cross is legit.

7/6/2012 6:47:38 AM

Rhode Island

mojo-one male will do the job.just be sure it gets pollon onto all segments of the female.( with just one id roll the pollon over the sides of each segment.
then tie the female flower up again, remove the flower the next day.(so it does not rot and lay over the segments-which can cause rot)
pap

7/6/2012 8:43:07 AM

Mount Vernon, Washington

Thank you for the replies. I only had one male yesterday so I am hoping I did it right. This morning I woke up to two males so I reopened the female and tried it again. I will be removing the flower either tonight or tomorrow. I only have two plants so my options are limited. And I tied the flower closed but didn't bag it. Well, I'll know next time. Thanks again!

7/6/2012 6:48:50 PM

Stanwood, Washington

I think as long as its not too hot (not a problem around here) Its pretty hard to screw up a pollination. it only takes a couple of grains to actually make the pollination sucessfull. It doesn't hurt to use multiple males but you should have no problem getting a pollination from one flower. I have only been doing this for 3 years but I have never had one abort on me before culling time.

7/9/2012 5:48:52 PM