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Sydney, Australia

Any tips on getting fruit to set? Thanks Ben

12/16/2008 2:29:00 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Shade the chosen female for at least three days before hand, and from then on.... if you're running in the low 30's or higher, you may have to do the put a couple of frozen 2 liter soda bottles in with it under a cheap styrofoam cooler after pollenation to get it to take. Pollenate early in the morning, just after sunup. Bag at least three males not one, that way you will have enough pollen. Good luck!

12/16/2008 5:39:03 PM

Ohio

Boily, I pollinate when its still dark outside,about 40 minutes before the sun comes up,(need a flashlight).

I would have to pry the females open some to get the pollin in, the females take about 95% of the time. I have pollinated like this for the past 4 years.

This might work better for you since it will be cooler that time of the morning.

Brooks

12/16/2008 6:39:00 PM

Ohio

Oh one more thing, bring your males in the night before, then in the morning I would scrape the pollen from the male into a small pill bottle, that way it would be easier for me to just dump the pollen inside the female. its quick and easy that way.

12/16/2008 6:44:05 PM

Ontario, Canada.

"Nothing in fruit production is more important than fruit set, yet it receives so little attention. Pollen from plants short of nitrogen is markedly inferior in its ability to bring about fertilization, to pollen from a plant with adequate levels of nitrogen. Plants that are deficient in nitrogen often flower profusely, but the blossom is weak and fruit set is usually light."

One way to tell if a plant is high or low in nitrogen is by the ratio of males to females. "In a typical
monoecious sex form of cucurbits the ratio of staminate and pistillate flowers may range from 25 to 30:1 to 15:1, the later condition is advantageous and economical, because
consequently it results higher fruit set and yield. Generally high nitrogen, long days and high temperature promote greater number of staminate flowers." A little dose of nitrogen may help if the ratio is lower than described.

Many growers worry about too much nitrogen hindering flower production. In your case Ben there is adequate inflorescence. The set problems result from a nutrient deficiency of some sort. I would be willing to bet that if you hit your plant with a week blend of N with other macro and micro nutrients you could help solve the problem.

http://www.avrdc.org/pdf/bangladesh_seed/ch6.pdf

12/16/2008 7:58:52 PM

Frankfort Ohio

brooks good idea did not know you could pry the females open this helps to know because i go to work at 6am thanks

12/16/2008 8:17:03 PM

Eastern Washington State

I suppose gently prying open the female blossems might work for some, but I would suggest just talking and listening to them. Perhaps a nice night out and a bottle of wine...

12/16/2008 8:26:35 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

I like a dose of foliar fert, high in P at flowering. I usually use a 6-24-6 or a 6-18-6 or something like that in a 1% solution, 10ml/L of water, applied once a week, starting a week before application.

Russ is correct about proper Nitrogen fertilization, but I would be careful at this stage about adding too much.

12/16/2008 8:28:58 PM

Ohio

Yea I agree Vince, get a quick soil test if you can, even its a home type test, just to get you a ball park figure where you are at with your N

12/16/2008 8:43:51 PM

Sydney, Australia

Hey guys, thanks for the reply's. Pollinated another day, and covered to keep cool. Interesting ideas, I'm pretty sure the nutrient base is right due to my foliar feeding. Perhaps the plants will be ready when they are ready. The last few pollinations are the first one's I'd consider keeping, so fingers crossed they will set.
I'll be pollinating the 1024 at sun up tomorrow, hope it sets. Ben

12/17/2008 5:19:56 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Either way, good luck with the next few pollinations. We are all counting on you for our pumpkin entertainment for the next few months.

Best of luck!!

12/17/2008 12:07:23 PM