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North Ga

WELL HERE WE ARE jULY 12 still no bloomin males. Long shot covers about 800 square ft. Nature do your thing!!!
Pappy

7/12/2001 8:27:47 PM

Connecticut, USA

Are there any other growers in the area you can get some from? Are the female opening regularly?

7/12/2001 9:24:49 PM

North Ga

Females are bloomin every day.I don't know of any other growers in my area. When it gets light out I'll go see if a couple I have my eye on have opened.

7/13/2001 5:38:42 AM

North Ga

I had one male starting to open this morning and when I looked inside there was no stamen just a crater where it should be. What do you think is going on?

7/13/2001 8:21:03 AM

Connecticut, USA

Sounds like a plant with lots of genetic mutations. What seed did you grow it from? Also, can you take some close-up photos of the flowers you do have and post them in the photo gallery? The females you posted on 6/29 look funny but the picture is too far back to tell. Remove at least half of the petals too (so we can see clearly inside).

7/13/2001 9:44:15 AM

North Ga

Ken D. The Plant is from the seeds I got from BP.com. I think that was 99 and the seeds were from 98. I'm guessing that is the whole problem. I started with 13 seeds. Only seven of them germinated. I lost 6 when I transplanted to the garden. One remains. As far as photos. I can't take a good pic with a polaroid, so I'll get some on a 35mm this weekend. The females you saw in pics 6/29. One of them did have some growths beside the lobes. That's the only one I've seen like that out of 10 that have bloomed. Thanks for the help...........Pappy

7/13/2001 8:32:30 PM

North Ga

By the way. I'm not implying that seeds from BP.com are bad. It's my fault for not putting them in the ground when they were fresh. I'm still learning and appreciate BP.com and all growers out there for the valuable information......Pappy

7/13/2001 8:40:16 PM

North Ga

Let me throw in a couple more facts. 98% of the males stems elongate 2-4 inches, then the bud turns light yellow and dies. There are only three males that the stem is 7-9 inches long. The buds look normal, but refuse to open. Does light play an important part in pumpkin raising? I have a 400W metal Halide security light about 90 feet away from the plant. some of the light shines on it. Any feedback?.........Pappy

7/13/2001 9:46:13 PM

Poulsbo, WA

Pappy,

Just wanted to let you know that my males have been growing tall and big and haven't been blooming. I would say that 98% of mine have grown to 2-4 inches and just quit maturing. Just this morning did I finally have one bloom. It was about a foot and a half tall and turned out to be a huge flower. I was able to pollinate with it. My best guess is that when the plant is ready that the flowers will bloom. How big is your plant and how many leaves? Looks like mine is finally starting to take off, when I thought I would never have a male bloom. I have about 300 leaves and vines about 10 feet long. I have approxiamtely 30 + females growing and have been able to hand pollinate only three. Just hang in there and you'll get your chance. If you live in the north you will have more time than living in the south do to more sunlight. As for sunlight being the issue with the flower opening, I don't think that has anything to do with it cause all mine are under the leaves. I thought defficient sunlight may have been the cause of mine not blooming, but now I know that probably wasn't the clue. Good luck.

7/14/2001 1:53:18 AM

Connecticut, USA

Pappy, I have never seen this problem before. Have you ever had your soil tested? You may have an abundance or shortage of an important nutrient. Those males clearly are deformed. The age of the seed shouldn't matter as long as they germinated OK. I am growing a seed from a pumpkin grown in 1995 this year. Your plant looks great though.

7/16/2001 6:54:11 AM

Long Island,New York

Pappy..saw the picture of the males......locate a few males that haven't looked like they should have opened....on the first morning that they look like they should have opened pick a couple flowers and open them up...is there pollen ? Is it "free"? (loose) If so, use it. Try a couple flowers that look like they should have opened a day ago...is there pollen? ETC.....Chances are the pollen is good--you just have to identify the right time to use it....first day,second day etc.....more mumbo-jumbo from me.....G

7/16/2001 9:41:13 AM

Long Island,New York

Sometimes that little rounded crown-like blob that's supposed to be a tall upright stamen is mutated but still has some pollen...thats what I was getting at.........

7/16/2001 9:43:44 AM