From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Mount Prospect,illinois

only have had 2 shots at pollinating. Both aborted. we have had heat indicies near 110 the last few days so that couldnt have helped. I think i personally screwed up the first one with wet pollen (is that a problem?). Looks like another female will open tomorrow so i am plugging away. It is very interesting but seeing the little guys start to shribble up 2 days after an attempt gets me frustrated.

7/17/2006 8:43:14 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Pollination in extreme heat is a problem...go buy a styro cooler and put a couple of gallon milk jugs in the freezer. The night before the female is going to open, put the cooler over the top and the first frozen gal jug under it...use bricks or 4x4's or something to support it. After pollination in the am, replace frozen jug, under cooler, and repeat as neccesary!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peace, Wayne....and take an aspirin in the morning!!!!!!LOL...seriously...heat causes pkn aborts!!

7/17/2006 10:38:12 PM

Ca

You don't want to get the pollen wet. If you water overhead you should cover the fruit with at least a cup or something. It's hard but you really have to be militant with the ice and shade when you have extreme temps. Especially if your plants are not heat tolerant. Make sure your plants are well watered during hot spells.

7/17/2006 11:27:34 PM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

I'm having a little different problem. I'm gettting them pollinated ok. But once they get about the 15 inches around they quit growing. I've had 2 do this any ideas?

Thanks Kenny

7/18/2006 6:26:17 AM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

kenny, that happens quite often, just keep pollinating until you get one big as a basketball

7/18/2006 8:14:28 PM