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Minnesota([email protected])

I'm just wondering what's the latest time in the day you made a pollination, and it took.
I pollinated one at 12:15(just after noon) today. It was raining, and I was hoping it would stop, which it didn't. I think I stand a decent chance, as the temps. are around 65 degrees F., and cloudy all day so far.

7/19/2008 1:39:18 PM

[email protected]

Good question.

We've had females surprise us by opening in the afternoon (glad I was there). Point being I'm sure the time of day the female opens has a role.

Perhaps "how long can she be open before successful pollination window closes?" is the greater concern.

7/19/2008 2:36:52 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

tough to pollinate in the rain..If it's raining and I need the set ...I leave it open all day to let the bees keep jostling the pollen around while it drys....I'd rather have a pumpkin set when needed the worry about the cross. always time later for genetics...

7/19/2008 3:08:13 PM

Cottage Grove, MN

Doug, been doing the same here, my keeper so far was done after I got home from work a couple of weeks ago in the evening. She was NOT open when I left in the morning, thought she'd pop the next morning, was open when I got home in the eve. Did the deed then, doing well since. Go figure. Weird weather year or what?

7/19/2008 4:37:47 PM

Minnesota

I pollinated one today, it went perfect. 2nd year, I'm aiming for 500, (o'k, as long as its over 100, that makes it in improvment over last year and I'll be happy,,and yeah, o'k, I'll admit it, I probably won't reach 1790 pounds)

7/19/2008 7:17:39 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

These past two years I have made "forced entry" as Beauchemin like to call it and I have had 100% results. I cut three males from the vine the night before, put them in a vase in the window by the sun and the next morning at 6:30am I tear into her and let the three boys go to work. After that I use women's nylon socks the size of a condom and slide over her and lightly twist tie around stem. Good to go every time! You can get the women's mylons at select women's shoe stores. They are made available in gallon sized bins for ladies to use as they try on shoes. Of couse I get the nylons when there new and unused!

7/20/2008 2:44:28 PM