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Minnesota([email protected])

I have my first female of the year, looking like it might open up tomorrow morning, or the next. What I did was tie it shut, and put duct tape over the flower petal tips. I did the same with a couple of males that will open in the morning. Will this work, or is a plastic baggy or cheesecloth bag the way to go, to let the flowers open up naturally?
Also, when in the morning is the best time to pollinate? Tommorrow is supposed to be well into the 90s for a high temp.
I also notice that the males that will open up in the morning, are a little bit open already this evening(right at the tip, not totally shut). Is this a problem for maintaining pollen purity?
Thanks for any help. This is my first hand pollination attempt, and I hope to do it correctly.

7/8/2005 9:37:47 PM

Montoursville, PA

I tie them shut with tenicles the night before. The new vine tip ones are supple and make a good tie. Try several ways and choose the one you like best.

7/8/2005 10:23:38 PM

Sequim, WA

I cover all blooms, male and female a day or two beforehand with my wifes old nylon stockings. Air gets in, they expand as the bud swells, and it keeps the pests out. I would pollinate as early as reasonably possible. Getting up with the sun is no advantage as the pollen needs to mature as the air warms, but I would not put it off too late. I don't know how fast it warms up where you are, but I would want to be done by 9:00 AM to give those pollen tubules a chance to grow before it gets real hot.
When I remove the nylons the blooms pretty much pop right open. I first cut the males with the nylons still on them and then take them to the females and uncover them. Uncover the males one at a time or bees will be trying to get into them while your busy with the one your using. As soon as I'm done with that female I label the plant tag with the date, time, number of lobes, and number of males and identity of pollinator....
EG. 7-8 7:00 5 lobe 2 1105 Hope this helps.

7/9/2005 12:23:10 AM

Nashville, TN

Wouldn't the duct tape tear the petals making it hard to shut them again after pollination?

I was told to tie them shut with yarn.. Been using extra hay rope .. it has worked very well..

I'd use Nylons - but I'm the wife - and I REFUSE to wear those uncomfortable, 'running' things!! **grin**

7/9/2005 12:37:36 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Is there a nylon alternative? Where do you get cheesecloth bags? You seem to have a nice system Tiller.
Thanks for all the help so far.

7/9/2005 1:37:56 PM

Long Island,New York

Cotton cheesecloth is available in any good paint supply store, some Home Depots and some good grocery stores. Drape it over the blossom (a 6inch x 6 inch piece) and just press against the hairs on the flower and stem and it sticks tight like velcro.
Pollinate in the am and wrapp the cleesecloth into a rope shape and tie it closed. I then put another 6x6 on top of that cause the fricken birds have been attacking the blooms and fruit...

7/9/2005 2:48:18 PM

I use the lightweight flimsy mesh with a rubberband over the top of the flower. I don't know what the mesh is called, but you can get it at any fabric/sewing store - it's what they use to make the bottom of dresses poof out.

7/9/2005 3:21:10 PM

[email protected]

My mother calls that stuff "nylon netting". I can't say this is accurate, but they knew what she was talking about at the local fabric place when I took her there last summer.

7/9/2005 3:42:08 PM

Usa,pa,westsunbury

i personaly use knee highs that are cut into thirds and i dont know that i would tape the female shut because when you pollinate you need to close the female up again to keep other pollen from getting mixed in , good luck ,jim

7/9/2005 4:44:34 PM

Long Island,New York

Brigitte in a dress??? A poofy one even??? Naw.............

7/9/2005 7:43:10 PM

Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

tulle. . .hung a bolt of it at my son's wedding yesterday

7/11/2005 12:44:56 AM