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nanaimo,B.C,Canada

If You know a female will open the next morning and the weather calls for rain that day,should I cut males off that look ready to open that night and let them open inside? What should I do with the males,put the stems in water?

dave

7/4/2005 10:27:02 PM

Montoursville, PA

Put a baggie over the female and tie it on to withstand possible wind. Rig a temporary tent after pollination, to keep her dry. If the female gets drenched and soggy wet pollination will most likely not take or abort.

Put the males in your cooler with a tray, of ice, if the wife balks about growing pumpkins, in her domain. So what's so bad about picking a couple, of males, in a summer rain?
Just kidding.

7/4/2005 10:36:43 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Dave, I've picked the males like you intend to and it seemed to work. They smell good in the house too!! At least they don't open outside and risk an uncertain cross due to bee action. Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll do great with that 1016 again this year.

Glenn

7/4/2005 10:49:00 PM

Alex, IN

I Pick my male flowers the night before or up to three nights before (If the plants aren't producing many males). I put them in a ziplock baggie and into the refridgerator until I need them. I have never had any problems using that method.

I just pollinated my first fruit on the 500 Wallace this morning:) Now I am praying that it takes. The hight temp today was about 92! I had a white sheep over the fruit and two frozen gallons of water inside the tent!

Mikkal

7/4/2005 11:19:19 PM

Deer Park WA

Harvest the "ripe" males the night before, place them in a drink of water, put them in the frig... Have at the ladies in the AM!

P.S Mikkal more emphasis on the ladies needs and less on bagging you male.

7/5/2005 2:35:32 AM

nanaimo,B.C,Canada

thanks to everyone for there expertise. How many days could the pollen survive in the fridge?


Dave

7/5/2005 3:02:40 AM

New Hampshire

Never heard of putting a sheep over your fruit.....Is it someyhing like the bible says about putting a fleece before God and asking for a sign????

7/5/2005 6:29:51 AM

Ontario, Canada.

I pick all my males the night before they open. I let them mature indoors in beer bottles on the window sill. I then cut the petals off trim the stem and store them in Tupperware containers in the fridge for up to two weeks or more. They need to be left to mature for the pollen grains to develop. I have two years practice using this method with good results. The day of use I remove the required stubs and let them warm up for an hour or so before pollinating.

Flowers can also be stored whole in the fridge for a few days delaying opening. The problem I had with this method was forgetting to bring them out in time to allow them to open up for morning pollination attempts.

I also have a successful Squash growing from frozen pollen stored from indoor plants and harvested in Feb. and March of this year.

To date this year I have 8 attempts with only one abortion.

7/5/2005 5:26:49 PM

Ohio

Im going to try that Russ, thanks!

7/5/2005 10:32:07 PM