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Casa Grande, AZ

I currently have male and female flowers. The males are opening up but it seems like the females wont open yet. What can I do to speed up the process. Or should I remain pataent? Any advise is very much appreciated!!!

5/12/2008 1:47:59 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Patience is important. Heat can be a big problem, especially where you are. I would pack some frozen water bottles around the female, cover with umbrella, and put a fan on it. If it gets too hot, the females will abort.

Sometimes the first few females on the plant just never open. As long as you keep them cool enough, they should open in time.

Oh, if you are fertilizing, stop until you get them set, too much N can cause fruit to abort...or not open.

5/12/2008 4:30:07 PM

Rhode Island

i dont know what your daily temp is so i cant offer a valid opinion except to say it has been my experience that pumpkin female flowers usually open for pollination within 10 days after the small pumpkin starts to develop in the tip of the main.
ninty percent of the time you can see a small amount of bright yellow showing on the flower edges the night before she is due to open.
the suggestions for ice and fans near the baby pumpkin are very good. especially the day you pollinate. after two days shes on her own, unless your really in an oven
pap

5/12/2008 9:00:20 PM

Casa Grande, AZ

Thank you both. I'll watch it closly, stop fertilizing. The daily temp is about 90 but at the end of the week itll be close to 100'. So I think ill start the frozen water bottles. I have already covered the entire vine, the sun is very strong and it wilts durring the heat of the day. Thanks again for your advise

5/13/2008 7:57:02 PM