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Williamsburg,KY

Since I have learned how to cover the females and collect the males the night before, I have had good success until this morning. I have been carefully watching the female blossom on my 881 Van Hook since June 25th, today was the day to open. I had my males picked the night before, in the barn ready for me. I gingerly walked out to the patch, males in my little cups, in a cute basket, covered with a cloth in case some bees were around. I took the cup off the female 881 and pop - it opened. I chased away a bee, while I got my males ready. I applied the pollen to the female and proceeded to reclose the flower and tie it shut. Something was hung up, the string wouldnt move..So I moved something the wrong way..and off was the female...man what a bummer...guess I'll have to wait for another female..but none to be seen on the main vine past the one I just broke off. Like Pap said, its just a pumpkin..Croley Bend

7/1/2008 10:18:22 AM

[email protected]

Ouch! Still gotta hurt! I tore a couple of rips in my 1149 Pukos this morning. Nothing serious, but it certainly is scary trying to close them up and something goes wrong. More will be on the way soon enough. I haven't pollinated anything on the 1405 Bobier plant yet. There are females out there but not in an ideal spot. Will see what next week brings. Hang in there.

7/1/2008 10:31:09 AM

Columbus,ohio

give it super phosphate. A bag is only like $5.femaales will come back.

7/1/2008 11:23:10 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks for the sympathy Christine, seems you know how it feels, I was battling those dang bumble bees and honey bees as soon as I open up my flowers. I wont give up, it just might be the best one. Positive thinking.
As for the super phospate, not sure about just what that is, I just put some Dunkels on yesterday, so perhaps that may push me some females.

7/1/2008 2:14:26 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Last year, I accidentally tore the petals off the female, as I was trying to take the pantyhose covering off it. Luckily I could cover it back up with the panty hose, after pollination.
I've bought pantyhose/nylon stockings(ONLY FOR PUMPKIN USE...I stress this!) enough times now, to where I'm not too embarrassed about having them at the checkout anymore.

7/1/2008 6:20:08 PM

Simi valley, ca

Paint Strainers work good, use the one gallon size, there a nylon sewed cloth just the right size ! They are aprox 12 inchs wide X 16 inchs long ,, I just tuck mine into soil ,or mound a bit of soil around edges, works great!! you should have another female coming soon ,

7/2/2008 11:32:21 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks for the tips everyone. I pollinated another plant this am and used a styrofoam cup. Just gathered the flower together and slipped the cup over it..Im sure it will keep the bees out. I hope to have another female on my 881. Thanks again, Croley

7/2/2008 2:01:24 PM