From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Paradise Mountain, New York

We all have tried different ways to cover our female and male flowers before and after we pollinate them. I have tied them with small string, ribbons, and rubber bands. Come opening day for a female flower, I found were I tied it to tight and the flower ripped open on the side a little and when I took the string off, I found a bee inside. I have tried them all myself and now have found a new much better way of doing things. I posted some photo's that should be up tomorrow. Go to Walmart in the women's shoe section, or a shoe store and ask for nylon shoe socks. Women use these 6 inch long nylons to try on shoes. They work great on pumpkin flowers. As I watch my flowers, I put these little socks on two to three days before I know the flowers will open. When the flower does want to open, it can't. The nylon socks seals the flower tight. after I pollinate the female, I put the nylon back over it.

7/7/2008 1:19:46 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

I prefer to use zip lock sandwich bags applied the night before. I believe this helps to "ripen" the flower by traping ethylene gas inside the bag. It also keeps the flowers dry from rain or heavy dew. After pollination I close with a cotten string. If its thretening rain, I recoever with the zip lock.

This method works for me. I have very few aborts.

John

7/7/2008 1:25:27 PM

[email protected]

I use kite string on both the males and females. I've never had a problem. Its simple, cheap and easy to find. I think alot of growers make this way more complicated than it needs to be.

7/7/2008 6:11:33 PM

Rhode Island

usually as long as its not windy we use a plastic cup. easy to put on and off and can be reused.
either that or a zip lock bag.

7/7/2008 7:53:35 PM

ExtremeVegetables.com

1 gallon paint strainer bags.

7/7/2008 8:05:57 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I use nylons from Walmart as well. Last year when I bought them, they were like $1 for 4 pair.

7/7/2008 8:59:32 PM

So. Maine

I have some 4 x 8 in. plastic bags to cover M & F flowers then use trash bag tie's ( the long one's ) to hold the female flower closed. AL

7/7/2008 10:26:16 PM

Western Pa.

I've always used a small piece of cheesecloth, just wrap it around the blossom, it will adhere to itself.

7/8/2008 8:08:02 AM

Bloomington, IN

what about just tying the flower shut with a twisty tie?

7/8/2008 9:43:53 AM

[email protected]

A twisty tie will work, just make sure it's long enough. I tied my first one and one tendril grabbed a hold of it and it was off the female flower when I looked tangled into a tendril. LOL!

7/8/2008 10:01:11 AM