From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Any problem with forcing the female open at 4:30 or 5:00 in the a.m. before it would naturally open? Wonder if damage could be caused.

7/2/2010 11:13:55 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

The only problem I have seen is that you can rip the petals and then have a hard time tying them off to keep bees out.

7/2/2010 1:10:28 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Maybe try setting up a worklight close by the female that will turn on an hour before you want her ready. Possibly the warmth and light will get her in the mood and make your pollination more successful? Kind of like an artificial sunrise.

7/2/2010 1:12:04 PM

Central Connecticut

I have attempted a number of pollinations at that hour with mixed results. I have even fashioned a ring that I place between the petals to keep them from closing while I'm pollinating. I think the bigger problem is that the pollen is not as ready (not as fluffy)

7/2/2010 1:43:10 PM

East Jordan, MI

I tried one at 4:15 and it failed, so I adjusted my schedule and pollinated at 6:15 and all was good. The light might work, but I'm wondering if bushwacker is correct, maybe the pollen wasn't ready. Or maybe the plant wasn't ready. At any rate, at 6:15 the female was open enough that I didn't have to tear anything and the males were opening too.

7/2/2010 11:05:45 PM

Circleville ,OH.

Heat the male flowers w/hair dryer in the house and the pollen sacks will open up for a early morning pollinations.

7/3/2010 8:30:05 AM

East Jordan, MI

Great tip Cros, I'll write that down for next year.

7/3/2010 9:46:38 PM