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East Jordan, MI

Are there any pros or cons to removing the blossum petals after pollination? I haven't removed any except on the one that didn't take, and that was after 2 days and because it was slimy. But it appears that most people do. Are there any tips, tricks, things to not do? Is there a recommended time for removal?

6/19/2010 8:51:48 AM

Rhode Island

always remove the flower from around the lobes the day after pollination. ( we close the flower right after pollination then remove the next morning )

if not the flower will rot around the segments and could also cause the segments themselves to rot.

6/19/2010 12:15:26 PM

East Jordan, MI

Thanks! I'll do that from now on.

Next question. 2 of mine dried completely out and are like shrink tubing on the lobes. Should I goe ahead and remove them or do do I risk damaging the lobes.

6/19/2010 3:34:11 PM

East Jordan, MI

Never mind. Almost a very critical noob mistake. I went ahead and decided to see if the dried ones would come off. They did and one of them had some mold under it. Treated (lightly sprayed just the mold) with a mild bleach solution (tsp of bleach in a cup of water) and put a fan on it to dry it out. Will monitor closely.

Again, THANKS for the help.

6/19/2010 5:58:32 PM

Rhode Island

once you get into the habit of removing the dried flower from around the segments the segments will not rot amd most will stay on the fruit the entire season.

6/19/2010 9:08:57 PM

Middle TN

The EXACT same thing happened to me. The good news is it seems to have healed. Im still keeping the fan on it and occasionally add more captan powder, just in case.
Good luck!
Tammy

6/19/2010 9:10:45 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

Does it have to be the next day pap or does it depend on high temps to dry it up.Should we pull it off while it is still wet or wait till it dry's

6/19/2010 11:18:00 PM

El Paso TX.

Much easier to remove before it dries out completely -- once the flower dries it tends to grab on pretty good and makes peeling it off tough (I actually remove them after sunset on the same day)- also you want to get it off soon so that the segments will dry and not start to grow mold - the flower drying around the segment will cause a nice steam chamber that will provide a perfect environment for the mold to start growing very quickly if left on (seals the water in and keeps the temp hot and a hot moist environment is asking for trouble)

6/20/2010 10:15:07 AM

Rhode Island

pull it off wet or dry. wet is even worse for rotting problems.

6/21/2010 6:30:14 AM

East Jordan, MI

I've removed the next 2 I pollinated the day after pollination after paps advice. The days wer HOT (90 degrees) and no rain. I have shade over the babies, and tied the blossums shut after pollinating. Both of them had a small puddle of water in them (about 3 drops or so). Leaving this closed up with no air is a definitely a recipe for mold. I am SO glad I had someone to ask, instead of figuring it out after I lost a pumpkin (or 2 or 3).

THANKS AGAIN!

6/21/2010 10:09:08 PM