From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ashby, MA

Just curious how everyone protects the male and female flowers the night before pollination? Last year I used small styrofoam cups but had to secure the cups using a bamboo stick and elastic band. I was thinking of using a 1 gal zip-loc bag this year. Anyone have success with doing that?

6/29/2011 1:17:56 PM

Colorado

I keep the males from opening up with small rubber bands.I get the skinny ones at office depot.you may have to double or even tripple them to make them snug enough.You put them on the first 3/4 inch of the flower tip and it wont open.You roll the band off and your ready to pollinate.I walk around with a bunch of bands in my pocket all pollinating season

6/29/2011 2:34:50 PM

Ashby, MA

That's a pretty neat idea. What about the female flowers? do you do the same thing?

6/29/2011 3:09:04 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

I go into the patch and take all the rubberbandZ I see off the flowerZ....I dont know how they get there.....

I use nylonZ to entice the femaleZ the night before....and keep them closed...and cool....maleZ too....get bagged the night before...I leave them on the plant if the maleZ are at the same patch the femaleZ are.....then after the morning dance...I cover the section with a windsheild sun deflector....workZ quite well to keep them cool...then at 5 PM the night of pollination I cut the string or cable tie....to let the air in so the blossom doesnt mold.

6/29/2011 3:33:23 PM

Colorado

I do use rubber bands on the females.I roll the band off(to not damage the petals)-pollinate-pull the flower back tight and re-apply the rubber band.The trick with the rubber bands is to not go too tight.It takes very little pressure to keep the flower closed

6/29/2011 5:47:29 PM

Colorado

And yes Ive seen wiz in the patch with nylons-not a pretty sight

6/29/2011 5:52:24 PM

Western NY

cut the males, bring them in the house the evening before they are to open. no bees in the house.

tie up the females with strips of reemay.

6/29/2011 8:34:11 PM

Portland, Or.

twist tie at the tip work for both boyz and girlz

6/29/2011 9:09:29 PM

So. Maine

We use 4 X 6 in. plastic bags on both M and F here , easy to do easy to spot in the morning ...

6/29/2011 10:17:15 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

SO CoJoe....have you ever opened up your flowerZ to see a bee inside? They force they way into the flower even if itZ tied close....
I used to use styrofoam cupZ but if the wind blows one may find the cup elsewhere..and beeZ in the blossom....

Tied and bagged guarunteeZ no unwanted viZitorZ...
one can make many nylonZ by just knotting one end...and it breatheZ and strecheZ too... Like IceManZ orange suity.....

6/30/2011 12:21:30 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

You see....BiZ waZnt tied and bagged before pollination.......so....Dont go unprotected...@!!!

6/30/2011 12:22:24 PM

Riverton, WY

I use 18 to 24 inch long strips of cheesecloth. I wrap the male & female flower tips the night before. The soft spines on the flowers cling to the cheesecloth, so no knots are needed. The white cheesecloth is easy to find next morning at pollination time. Cheesecloth goes back on the female flower after pollination to keep it closed and to keep it shaded and cool during the day.

7/4/2011 12:40:36 AM

Sequim, WA

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=11146 Nylon stockings work very well, they breathe and don't hold moisture levels too high and can be use for years. They also stay on very well with all the little prickles on the outside of the flower and stem holding them in place.

7/14/2011 8:58:13 AM