From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Wood River, Nebraska

I have a 457 Desrosiers with three main vines about 12' long. There are three female flowers , one on each vine, near the end of each vine, each with fruit about the size of a silver dollar. Perfect except I have no male flowers even close to opening. How long will the female flower live before withering and dropping off?? Will covering the female with a plastic bag lengthen its life?? Help..

6/25/2000 6:10:02 PM

Connecticut, USA

I would put out an APB for a male flower in you vicinity.

You may be able to pollinate with male flowers from squash or zucchini. I heard this is possible, but never tried myself.

I have many female flowers, but the blossom is really green, they won't open until they are pale yellow (look at the pollination article in the How To section)... You may have more time than you think.

6/25/2000 8:42:06 PM

Connecticut, USA

Covering the female will not prevent it from ripening. Best pollination occurs within several hours of the female blossom opening. As John said, ask around and get a male from another grower in your area. You still have time too. The "golden zone" is still ahead of us (July 1 - 10). Sometimes the first couple of females don't set anyway.

6/26/2000 6:52:28 AM