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St. George, NB Canada

Five days ago posted re. only 2 females on 1 plant, none on my other two, and asked why? (One flower pollinated and is doing well, the other tomorrow).

Looked this morning and every new flower on the new growth area at the end is a female! What's changed?: I had been fertilzing with fish fertilizer only (high micro-nutrient, low NPK). Soil a mixture of clay and humus, thought to be fairly rich, BUT... Wednesday applied 20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer for the newly growing pumpkin. And this morning Voila! Lots of females in the new area. Interesting, hunh! Seems that one of these 3 nutrients was missing. Just goes to show, females take patience. Bill C.

8/13/2001 10:29:42 AM

Utah

how big is your plant ?

typically there are no females on the first 6-8-10 feet
of any vine. then they all show up- some time at every
node- some times at every other node. once they show
up - they continue to do so.
gordon

8/14/2001 10:44:42 AM

St. George, NB Canada

Just jogged out with my tape measure (my wife once again shaking her head and grinning). First female was at 7 feet. Thereafter there's an 8' span to the next one which is at exactly 15', several females after that one. Bill C.

8/14/2001 2:57:44 PM

Utah

I asked how big the plant was because i've heard of a few
growers with quite small plants, like the main was 8 ft,- that had some male flowers but no females yet. - which is
just typical for these plants.
but in your case things are a lot more
interesting- sounds like there was something the shut down the female production for a while. What is it ?
good question... not sure anyone can tell for sure.
maybe weather, wrong fert., too much fert., too much water, too little water, genetics... or a combination of all of the above.
sorry i couldn't be of more help.
good luck
gordon

8/14/2001 4:57:49 PM

Ga.

seems like to much nitrogen,,,need some phosphurus

8/15/2001 7:22:38 AM

St. George, NB Canada

Yeah, seems like that, since virtually as soon as I added the 20-20-20: Voila, tout les femmes (all the girls). Next year I think I'll do a small side by side experiment. This is kind of fun. Thanks. Bill C.

8/15/2001 7:57:24 AM