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New York

As mentioned on my diary, I recently started a seed that I intend to use primarily as a pollinator for my 566* Winey squash plant, however the pollinator seed is obviously several weeks behind the real plant. Is there anything I can do to encourage speedy growth of male flowers down the road (six or eight weeks)?

5/24/2010 10:19:38 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Bloombooster!!! Prbly a high phos content!!! just a thought!!! I would wait for a pro to comment, tho!!! Peace, Wayne

5/25/2010 12:04:26 AM

Deer Park WA

Viagra?

No seriously if you only want a pollinator and need male flowers try this; stress the plant by depriving it of water (only enough to keep it moving forward) and when you do water give it mass amounts of phosphorus.

5/25/2010 12:05:57 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Lots of stress works fine to force plants along flower production.

Put it in a one or two gallon pot and you will have male flowers in than 40 to 50 days and possibly a lot less.

I am using the same tactic to produce pollen for my 800* and 1236*.

I have three other plants used for pollinators that will stay potted and stressed in the greenhouse. No feeding except for some phos at 30 to 60 days, Infrequent watering and a fair bit of heat will produce lots of flowers.

You could also try having a strong fan blow on the plants which helps to stimulate the hormone ethylene and hastens senescence.

You could also try a high dose of K as this can speed maturity too.

5/25/2010 6:36:38 AM

New York

Thanks everyone, that's what I thought for the most part. Helpful as always!

5/26/2010 7:57:02 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Applications of the plant hormone gibberellin are thought to quicken flowering.

5/28/2010 11:39:52 PM