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hamilton,Ontario

I have had three fems that start to bulge then the next day not open...two have rotted off....???....I have one now on each plant that looks like its any day.Good Placement for my small garden........Should I pry the female open and roughly pollinate or would this not be benificial....or ...would it be inappropriate..????

7/5/2007 6:32:12 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Maybe shading the next females one the vine would prevent this. Maybe they got a little fried. Just a guess.

7/5/2007 6:57:28 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Like Doug said I have read where some of the guys here shade the females even before they are ready to pollinate. I tried it and also tried putting ice beside the female after pollinating and I had some good success. The ice after pollination is definitely the ticket!

7/5/2007 7:01:05 PM

Rhode Island

i would also be concerned as to why the flower will not open? to much watering? to much fertalizer ? both ?

it is not reccommended to use fertalizers on the plant starting 10 days or so before pollination ---- do not start up again until after fruit set.

yes if the flower will swell but not open up you can open by hand and pollinate. some success has been attained this way.

7/5/2007 7:16:59 PM

hamilton,Ontario

thanks Pap...and others...i will wait another day...I have no fertilized however have been fightin SVB's and garden glows at night...i will wait one more day to see before i break em

7/5/2007 9:02:22 PM