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Casa Grande, AZ

It was looking like it was about to die out. It is the first female. I opened it gently and tried to pollinate it with a male. Dont know if this will work. Has anyone ever tried this and if so what was the outcome??

5/20/2008 4:18:42 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Forced flowers probably aren't ready to be pollinated.

5/20/2008 4:28:43 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

What color were the unopened petals at the time you pollinated. If it was anywhere close to being ready the petals should have been turning an orange or yellow color. If they were still green it wasn't ready.

5/20/2008 5:41:37 PM

Casa Grande, AZ

Im pretty sure they were ready. The petals were orange and what I thought were a day from opening. Then a heat wave and the temps went from the 90 to 108. I think that was the problem. So I treated it with misting and shade. What do you think??

5/20/2008 6:46:54 PM

California High Desert CinnamintStick@msn.com

I am just a newbe too, but I also live where it gets warm. The highier tempature most likely is going to effect your polination. I found this article on hand polination. Read the second to the last paragraph. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/nepga/ViewArticle.asp?id=20

I have tried to stager my planting dates in hope to find a window to polonate that will be at the right tempature. I also have this problem polonating tomatoes. I think this year will be different for me. I hope, I hope.

5/20/2008 8:31:09 PM

Casa Grande, AZ

Punkin's Oma,
I actually have been looking at your diary. I kinda wanted to get some good advise from you as you look like your doing well in the heat. What advise can you give to me? I know this....watermelons can take the heat really well and there are many farmers in southern az that grow them but not many pumpkin growers in the south!! I will check out that article, thank you!!

5/20/2008 10:03:02 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Punisher, If you are dealing with that much heat you should shade your female blooms starting a few days before it's time for them to open. Also packing ice around them for about a day after you pollinate helps with success. I shade my females a couple days before and then put a couple of 2 liter soda bottles with frozen water in them right beside the female after pollination while still leaving the shade on it.

5/21/2008 1:04:06 AM

California High Desert CinnamintStick@msn.com

The Punisher,

I wish I could give advice. I am to new to Pumpkins and this is only my 4th year growing in the desert. I am applying what I have learned from my failures. I have learned about my soil but it might not apply to you. My soil can take daily watering. I have fast drainage and deep sandy loam soil. I bought a micro sprinkler kit at Lowes that works good for me. It conects to my hose. I can leave it on with out using very much water. It works like misters but it waters the plants too. Durring our hottest days it was on about 5 hours. My pumpkins are planted deep for more roots, and in a hole rather than a mound. This will keep the soil cooler.

I read alot of good stuff on here but I also have to ask myself if it applies to me. Many things will not apply to growing in our arid climate. I think we just have to experiment.

I think the wind is going to be my biggest problem.

Sorry I can't spell and have no spell check.

5/21/2008 9:05:27 AM

Colorado

Punisher,

Hoots is correct in shading the females and I also
use two 1 gallon plastic milk jugs with frozen water.
Leave the lids off the jugs and as the water evaporates
it creates a micro-climate for the flower...LB

5/21/2008 4:12:47 PM

Casa Grande, AZ

So I read the article. It was really helpful! I currently am doing all the right things i.e. shade, morning sun with no afternoon sun, misting, and the frozen water. I kinda just figured that it was the first female and wasent ment to open. Thank you guys for the advise!!

5/22/2008 11:16:40 AM