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Minnesota([email protected])

I'd like to hear your opinions on the best time of morning to pollinate. I know some get up quite early for this. Others sleep in some and pollinate later. I have my first pollinations of the season tomorrow. Just want to pick a good time. I have the whole day off tomorrow:)

7/6/2009 4:06:56 PM

Rhode Island

cover the frmale flower tonight and cover two or three males as well (we use plastic cups)
around 730-8 A.M. whatever is convienent for you.

if it raining we take the male flowers in the house around 730 am let them dry out good for several minutes or, if its a really sunny morning just let them sit in a cup in the sun for 10 minutes or so.

then? you pollinate,tie the tip of the female flower together (or put the cup back over the flower ) and your done.

pap

7/6/2009 4:15:56 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I use mesh bags (sewn from old sheer curtains) and 3 males at least to one female. One to one and a half hours after sunrise works good here; still cool, light enough to see, bees aren't really aggressive yet, and warm enough the pollen is up. I tie the flower shut and rebag her with her bloom bag when done.

7/6/2009 4:37:26 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Doug, since I have to leave for work at 6:30am during the week, I pollinate between 6-6:20am every year. Never had them not work doing it this way. Males are always ready for work when I open them up at this time.

7/6/2009 5:18:42 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

6:30 am works well for me through the week...but I find 8-9am works equally well on the weekend...;-)

7/6/2009 7:32:13 PM

Buffalo, New York

pap, how long do you put the cup back over the female after pollinating for?

7/6/2009 9:37:00 PM

Preston CT

6am

7/6/2009 9:40:33 PM

Sequim, WA

I usually wait until after I am awake. Although I have dreamed of doing it, so I can't say it's always after I am awake. If I have a choice, I wait until after 9:00 if its raining, just so the day has warmed a little. If it's going to be hot, I'm out there well before 8:00. I've said it before and I'll say it again here. My wifes old nylon stockings are the best blossom covers there are. They don't blow off in the wind, and keep bugs out, but still breathe.

7/6/2009 10:04:13 PM

Oklahoma State Record Holder

I was out at 5:10 one morning, with my flashlight.

7/6/2009 10:04:33 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks for all the replies.
I like using nylons for covering the flowers as well.
I felt a little awkward picking out nylons in the women's section of Walmart though.

7/6/2009 11:16:17 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I am not a fan of nylons. I make my own bloom bags, double sewn seams so in case one gives a little there's another to prevent access, drawstrings to snug them on. I get 32 bags out of one 99c thrift store curtain, with more room than a footie. Also I make WHITE ones, they are the most visible in patch in low light! I usually end up doing 'find the boys and bag them by flashlight' so I wait for morning after sunup to see to find them again. Doug, there are WORSE things to be buying than footies, if you're a guy.

7/7/2009 12:49:35 AM

Ohio

Doug, I take my males and my female flower inside 2 or 3 days before they open . I usually pollinate the male with the female early in the morning inside the comfort of my own home about 2am in the morning while watching the tv show Sanford and Son, or if there isn't anything else on I will watch the infomercials ,,,, like the banjo minnow , the Power Carpet cleaner vacuum, or the Ab and butt shaper.
After I pollinate the female I take it back outside a couple days later around 1 pm in the afternoon when its real hot out, and use wood glue and glue the female back on the vine. Whats good about pollinating like this is that its the hottest part of the day to help the glue to dry better, and the other big bonus is you can put the female back anywhere you want on the plant for that perfect placement.

7/7/2009 5:18:14 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

lol Brooks...finally someone with some real experience tells the truth about how its done.

Cups, zip lock bags, nylons, home-made curtains, zip-ties, elastic bands....whatever works....simple!

7/7/2009 11:38:01 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Brooks,
What brand of wood glue do you use?
Thanks,
Doug

7/7/2009 11:55:49 AM

Ohio

LOL, Glenn and Doug!

7/7/2009 3:25:58 PM

SE Minnesota

what about the whips and chains??

7/7/2009 6:51:04 PM

Long Island,New York

After the first pollination and before the pancakes !

7/7/2009 9:34:02 PM