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Dalton Ma.

Three questions on pollination.
Should the yellow pollen be visible in the male flower, I opened one and there was no visible yellow pollen, or did it need more time to mature.
How long a time is a female receptive to pollination after it opens, hours, days, a week if no males are ready?
Can AG’s cross with squash, or smaller pumpkins.

7/14/2006 8:24:48 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

The male flower will open by itself when it's ready...will have pollen at that time...I always thought that the female was only good the morning it opened so that's a few hours..recently heard of someone purposely pollinating at nite...so I'm not so sure anymore...AG's will cross with any Maxima...not with pepos...

7/14/2006 8:32:05 AM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

First - I too am a newbie

You may not see the male pollen but it is there. You may see a little collected in the bottom of the flower. When you rub the male on the female, you should be able to see the pollen coming off on the female bits. It will look like you are dusting with yellow powdered sugar. You can also touch the male and some will rub off on your finger, but it is a waste of good maleness.

I have only set in the morning between 6 and 7am or so. I have set on 100+ degree days and 75 degree days. I have yet to have an abort (beginners luck). However on the hot days 90-100 degree days at about noon and/or 3pm I run the rainbirds over the pumpkins for about 30 to 45 minutes. I cover any female I pollinated that morning with a cup while watering and then remove the cup when done. Any females pollinated for 24 hours or more are left uncovered.

Annecdotally, I have noticed that when I run the rainbirds LOTS of females open the next morning.

7/14/2006 12:36:57 PM

valparaiso, in

i have two pumpkins that i pollinated around 4 pm. they both look like they took, but its only been a few days. i will get back to you in a few more to let you know how they are doing.

7/14/2006 5:42:14 PM

Montoursville, PA

Those males turn yellow at the top just like the females the evening before they open. A lot of us cut males the night before and keep them ,in water, for the next AM's use. The grains will nearly all be where you need them and in great number, by morning. If you have them cut and use two or three. Then tie up or bag your female for a few hours while the process takes. If you happen to be in full sun shade the new ma ma, for the first day.

7/15/2006 5:46:46 PM