From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Minnesota([email protected])

How long, after pollinating the female flower, is it necessary to keep the female covered, to keep the cross pure?

7/4/2006 12:00:57 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I close mine with a binder clip and leave it there until it falls off.

7/4/2006 2:27:39 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks Tom.
I think the petals on my females may be little too damaged to close with a binder clip. I closed the females the best I could, with a clothes pin. I have a plastic baggie over the females, tied shut with a rubber band. I poked a few small holes in the baggie with a toothpick, and have the female shaded, with a white cloth over them.
Tommorrow morning will be two days after pollination. Will it be safe to uncover them then?

7/4/2006 2:44:41 PM

Montoursville, PA

Mercy yes....a couple of hours is more than enough. In two days time you should see fruit development.

7/4/2006 6:33:24 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

One day is enough for me. I take them off at about 7-8 pm. That's more than 12 hours. The petals are usually stuck back together by then if you use a clothes pin to close it back up.

Phil

7/5/2006 7:32:05 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I found that a short piece of cotton string tied around the petals works very nice to close off the flower.

7/5/2006 7:56:36 AM

Long Island,New York

A day. No cross from my patch will ever be protected for a mere two hours and called "protected or controlled".

7/5/2006 4:11:39 PM