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Mid Michigan

I picked my 1st male blossom yesterday...looked like it was gonna be opening today. I put it in the freezer 'till the only female finally opens. How many females are normally on a vine? I swear, i'm getting 6 to 10 inches of vine growth a day, and have males popping up everywhere, but still have only the one female! It's starting to scare me.
What if something happens to that female, or the pollination doesn't take? Should i count on seeing more females soon?

6/28/2001 6:01:40 AM

Connecticut, USA

Yes, once they start appearing you should see lots of them. You probably won't need the male in the freezer. Just use a fresh one on the morning the female opens. I go out into the patch in the evening and cover both male and females that look like their about to open with baggies. The next morning I pick the males and pollinate the females. I use two males per female if available.

6/28/2001 6:58:46 AM

Mid Michigan

Ok Ken, but here's where i get a little fuzzy.........does the male have to be opened up to pollinate a female with it?
You were right tho, i have 2 more females this afternoon that weren't there yesterday! Of course, they're on the end of secondaries that i was gonna cut off, and bury. haha
If i can just peel back the male petals whether it has opened or not, and pollinate an open female with it, i'll be a happy camper. I guess i should be more patient with mother nature to do things right for me....but, since this is my first time....maybe i'm trying to be too careful!!
Thanks, Cuzbiker

6/28/2001 4:19:23 PM

Connecticut, USA

If the blossom has turned from greenish to whiteish and increased in size it is going to open. I will sometimes force the flower open since I pollinate very early in the morning. I have never had a problem doing this.

6/29/2001 6:56:36 AM

Mid Michigan

Ok cool! I sure hope that female opens tomorrow, or Sunday morning....i have to take my son to Buchanan for a motocross school Monday, and Tuesday! Maybe i'll just have to force things a little bit.
Thanks Ken! cuzbiker

6/29/2001 3:39:25 PM