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canal winchester ohio

Buzz I seen in your post you wanted to hand pollinate, here is how I do it. The night before I cover males with plastic baggies,next morning I cut the males peel off all petals & shake off all polen into a coffee cup , if you have enough males this can get you a lot pollen.Then I take a small fine paintbrush dip it into the pollen & spread it on the female blossom . I have rarly had aborts with this method . But after you pollinate shade the female blossom for a couple days to keep it cool.

6/10/2001 6:22:38 PM

Yukon, Canada

I just stick a q-tip in the male flower and then into the female. Crude I guess but it works.

6/10/2001 7:51:52 PM

Long Island,New York

Buzz...if you want seed of known parentage,you must protect the male flowers from bugs by covering AND the female flower from bugs by covering. The females must be covered the night before AND AFTER you spread the male pollen upon the "lobes".If you don't do this, any bug can bring foriegn pollen to the males and/or females--pollen from a prisewinner pumpkin or even WORSE ! Maybe a SQUASH !! Bees and bugs drop off pollen as well as pick it up and if you dont protect the male and female you have an unprotected pollination...also known as "open pollinated". If you only want to insure a satisfactory pollination then Paul Huffer's on the mark as usual, but if you want known parents---and more people to try your seeds and grow 1000lber to put your seed in demand (and your name in lights !) then you should have a controlled pollination.The research experts say a female flower takes up to six days to pollinate, so keep it covered for more than one day. I use a 6x6 inch piece of cheesecloth..allows for air but no bugs.If CCbeetles are real smart where you are use something stronger like Pauls plastic bags.Ive heard of paper bags,dixie cups,and nylons for this purpose.Gpood luck.......G

6/10/2001 7:59:41 PM

Greencastle, PA

An even worse pollinator wouldbe a jack be little I'm growing some of those this year so I am going to be very careful during pollination time. Good luck everyone
Tom

6/10/2001 8:30:08 PM

canal winchester ohio

Sorry about that I also cover the females , I just came in from all day in the gardens when I sent the response " sun was out all day for the first time in weeks " so I guess I was just overwhelmed by the heat ( 85 degrees today) & forgot to finish it out. Thanks for the help Glen ,we want to make sure everybody gets it right.............Paul

6/10/2001 8:43:01 PM

Connecticut, USA

I'm 99% sure that a a Jack be Little wouldn't cross pollinate....

Something about the latin name Cucerbit maximus vs the latin name for other cucerbits.... My memory is a bit hazy on the subject.

Anyone know for sure?

6/10/2001 8:48:13 PM

Greencastle, PA

Jack be littles are C.pepo like all other common carving and decoritive pumpkins except luminas

6/10/2001 8:56:06 PM