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Joliet, IL

for those pollinating in similar high humidity wet conditions, it's a good idea to remove the female petals the day after pollination so the blossom top doesn't grow mold or fuzz that can lead into the nub and eventually into the pumpkin if not careful. just a heads up. i have saved moldy nubs many of times with cutting off rot and applying captan and a fan. it's better not to even let yourself get to that situation and a fan on a petal-less blossom will help it dry faster and prevent onset of any rot or mold spores when the humidity levels are this high.

6/20/2011 1:34:20 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Very good point ShaZZy....Papz told me that on the day of pollination, he would cut the tie off of his pollinations to allow for just this. And ever since I started doing this my abortion rate went way down....That and covering the pollination to keep sun and water from beating on the new pollination.....helped with success as well.

6/20/2011 2:37:04 PM

Upa Creek, MO

One other quick question; should I clean mud specks off females after heavy rains? They are covered but still get mud splashed onto them. I wouldn't even bother asking, but all my females have aborted so far. Thanks

6/20/2011 6:49:25 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Shaz....what about the waxy piece at the bottom of the flower petal where it joins the segments? Do you not worry about removing that circular waxy ring thing and damaging the pumpkin early?

Dont have the high humidity/wet conditions I guess, but I usually leave them on for a few days till they come off easily when dry.

Luke...ya nobody likes a dirty girl, so you gotta clean it off....lol....water in a spray bottle does the trick!!

6/20/2011 9:34:15 PM

Joliet, IL

That is a great point Glen. What is do is have a small pair of sharp scissors I can keep on my pocket without cutting myself in the leg bending over. I use these for snipping males with nice long stems to make it easy to using them to cut spaghetti tubing while adding mister heads. Point is I take the scissors and carefully cut a slit in the farthest petal area away from the blossom. Then use my fingers and scissors to carefully remove all petals but leaving about a half inch to 3/4" ring of petals left on. Last thing you want to do is get too cute or start tugging araound a one day old female. that final attaching ring will dry up and easily be removed later. The key is too let the blossom dry out and breath cuz the deed is done already by that point and the only the petals are doing at that point are creating an environment ready for every color fuzz on the planet.

6/21/2011 12:18:16 AM