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Dillsburg, PA

Anyone else having trouble with pollinations on the Nesbit and/or self plants. I have pollinated about five fruits and they all look like they are aborting. Having talked to two other growers they seem to be having the same issues. I am growing the 603 Muller which is the 845 X self.Its been very hot here with a heat index of over 100 for the last two weeks. Thanks

7/17/2005 11:41:49 AM

Cary, North Carolina

The Pollen dies quickly in temps over 90 degrees. You should cool the flower down at pollination and for the next couple days after pollination. Like getting a cooler full of ice or 2 liters filled with water and then frozen. Then put them around the female but don't touch the flower with them.
Good Luck, Kevin

7/17/2005 12:09:06 PM

Nashville, TN

If you will read my diary.. my 845 Nesbitt keeps aborting - though the 665 Mudd, 625 Foss, 610 Garrell, 572 Moore & 1008.5 Mudd - are all in the same bed and have pumpkins growing well...(1008.5 Mudd has had over 10 successful pollinations - I've left two on it - and it's almost every day that I'm plucking yet another good female off!!)

The 572 Bosworth & 865 Foss - are also notorious in my garden for aborting many.. though they are in the same bed with the 517 Glover & 625 Foss 'clone' - which are also growing pumpkins well.....

7/17/2005 1:21:29 PM

San Diego

most likely aborts from the heat if you haven't taken pre-cautions to cool your pollinated flower the day you pollinate. High nitrogen in soil can cause aborts too. Jimmy

7/17/2005 4:18:38 PM

Butler, Ohio

Im growing the 800 Dieffenbaugher (845 Nesbitt x 846 Jutras). I have not had any aborts from it, but I froze a milk jug full of water and set it beside the flower after it was pollinated and shaded it with a laundry basket. That pollination took well and it was in the middle of a week of temps over 90.

7/17/2005 9:31:55 PM

Canada

So if you have fruits that look like they are going to be opening within the next 3-5 days you would suggest placeing a 2 liter of frozen water on each side of fruit just to help keep the temps down a little? or do you recommend doing this on day of pollination and keeping it up for the first couple of days afterwards?

Reason I ask is because ive got a few that are looking good for opening this week.

7/17/2005 10:12:10 PM

Nashville, TN

My 845 Nesbitt aborts regardless of if it was pollinated in a week of high temps - or a week of temps in 70-80 range (and clouds...)..

Granted everything is hand pollinated at 4:30am - while temps are in the 70's for at least the next 5-6 hours... didn't have any problems with most of my pumpkins 'taking' on the first try..

7/18/2005 9:05:07 AM

Somers, CT

I have had several aborts. Starting to get worried.

7/18/2005 3:25:38 PM