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CT

Hi all -- Today is a sad day. We have been waiting for an enormous female in a perfect position on our main vine to open so we could pollinate it. We thought it would have opened yesterday, but it did not. We had a big rainstorm last night and this morning, the flower that we thought would be open appears to have gone by instead. We are pretty sure it never opened. It has a pumpkin about the size of a golf ball at the base. In a last ditch effort to save it, we pealed back the soggy petals and pollinated anyway. The inside had a slightly darkened appearance. What do you think our chances are that we can still get a pumpkin to grow here? Will the pumpkin at the base just shrivel and die? Thanks - Riverview School Kids

7/5/2000 8:34:05 AM

Commack, NY

sounds like for whatever reason that pumpkin aborted, but dont' worry, they'll be plenty more females where that came from!
scott

7/5/2000 9:11:40 AM

Storrs, Ct. 06268

To bad about your bud, I was wondering how many days from when you first noticed it to when it should have opened. I'm waiting on one too. Next week I'll be away sure would like to go knowing I got 2-3 buds pollinated first otherwise it will be up to the bees. They have been very active around my male flowers. P.s. great school project I enjoy checking your progress. Look for my son and my updates under the name Moo ( we are dairy farmers).

7/5/2000 11:35:08 AM

CT

Thanks very much for your replies and support. We examined out plant carefully today and did find a few more tiny female buds that have been "lying low" so to speak. The kids are very good at spotting them. As for me, "duh" -- I don't see them until they are pretty big already. It also looks like one or two are in a better position than the only one we have pollinated so far. In answer to your question Moo, we read that once the female bud swells and then shows a brite yellow color along the top edge, it will most likely blossom the next morning. We did find that to be true with our first female. That's why we were so surprised when the other one just kind of fizzled out instead of opening. We think it may have gotten waterlogged with all the rain we had last night -- But who knows...

7/5/2000 5:44:36 PM

Connecticut, USA

Cover your female and male with baggies the night before. This will keep them dry as well as deter bees.

7/6/2000 5:39:23 AM