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Central PA

This is most likely a really newbie question but I need to ask.
- Is it common for some females to not open?
- If the little guy stops growning I take it that means it didn't take hold? I had two pollinated July 1&2 looked great, grew great and now have stopped and starting to look bad.

From reading other messages I take it this is the 'Big Risk' time, that is getting females to take hold and do what we want them to do?

I still have females coming so there are more chances.

Thank you for your knowledge! This is my first year and I really appreciate any help. I want to grow a pumpkin larger than my 6yr, 4yr and 3 yr girls. My dad grew a ~350lb pumpkin when I was a kid and I remember it was so cool because at that age it was huge. No body stole the pumpkin from the porch that year! That was over 30 years ago, ok maybe a few more years than that but who is counting when you’re growing big pumpkins.

7/9/2004 11:53:34 AM

[email protected]

We've lost our first two pollinations this year. One had started growing. The other never took at all. The next two were done in the rain & I expect neither to work. But this morning I got to three more. These I really need to stick.

Stick with it. Plan ahead. When getting near the end of the alotted space (or time frame), I try to leave a well poised seconday on top of a walking board. This lessens the trauma if I decide to hack the main & move the secondary up front to become a new main. Keeps the aeirial roots out of soil a few days longer. This betters your chances for a good fruit placement if space concerns or timing issues are pending.

7/9/2004 12:57:39 PM

Phoenix Az

Well I have had females not open because of the heat here.

7/9/2004 2:15:26 PM

Back of Beyond

Homebrew - are you a brewer also?

7/9/2004 9:19:23 PM

Hamilton, MT

So is there any way to "force" the males? I've had 2 females and have had to raid a friends patch for males. There are plenty of males just not maturing and flowering.

What's best to do?

7/10/2004 4:25:54 PM

Ontario

I have had females not open in the past .
I now cover them with a lawn chair as soon as one appears, so it wont get too hot from the sun.
Havnt had a problem since.

7/10/2004 11:14:07 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

A little "bloombuster" from miracle grow might help with the males opening....but be careful messing with fertilizer around the set time...many a small female won't open if the nitrogen is telling them it's not time and that the plant will keep growing.Grow em Big!

7/12/2004 8:53:43 AM

Central PA

Hoppette - Yes I'm a brewer as well. Have the hops in the backyard and all :) Tho they have been really wierd this year. Cones started late May.

I like the lawn chair idea to cut down on the direct sun! Thank you for that fine tip.

7/12/2004 12:54:15 PM