From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Cranbrook bc

If you pollinate a female with a male from a different plant is that how you switch up the genetics? And also I have a pumpkin with moldy lobes can I cut them off or will it kill it

7/20/2015 2:59:35 AM

Central Illinois

yes thats how you get traits of both plants to combine

cross a white horse to a black horse and you may get a horse thats black and white. I would not try to pollinate a moldy lobe flower, but I have also never seen one, also by now its to late.

If you mean its been pollinated ,then it got mould, it may be fine ,gently remove the old yellow leaves and apply some sulfur over the "button"

7/20/2015 7:03:39 AM

East Jordan, MI

hello zachpl123

The pollination only affects the seed in this pumpkin. So if you want to create a cross that you will grow next year, yes you pick two pumpkins that you like and cross them, then grow the seed next year and the pumpkin will be half of each mom (the pumpkin you grew) and dad (the pumpkin that grew on the plant you pollenated from)

As for moldy lobes
you need to pull the flower petals off the day after pollination or the lobes will start to get soft and brown. This can cause rot to go up inside the blossom end if left too long. And yes, if you see this happening, you can cut the lobes off to stop it from getting to the pumpkin without harming anything.

Good Luck!

7/20/2015 9:54:24 PM

San Diego

I had to cut the lobes off to prevent any mold or rot from spreading. I knew this would happen, but juice started leaking out. I put a fan on it dry the cut fast, but will this affect the growth of the pumpkin? It is 5 DAP today.

7/21/2015 4:36:16 PM

Easthampton, MA

Somebody - when I cut the blossom off I noticed it weep as well. It sealed up fine on its own quickly. I wouldn't worry about it. Plants are pretty good at closing up wounds. :) If it doesn't look infected after cutting it, it's all good.

7/22/2015 12:23:00 AM

San Diego

I made the same conclusion within an hour of the cut. It dried quickly and its just a few drops. It gives you a good idea of how important the amount of water is that you give the plant, considering that it is 90% water. It's basically a big water balloon hooked up to a green spigot.

7/22/2015 7:00:53 PM