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Centennial, Co.

My first female was ready to go 2 days ago, but the males were not fully open in the morning. I placed them is sun for a couple hours...they were just about there....but in not wanting the female to wait too long in the morning, I coaxed the males open and pollinated about 9:30 am. The pollin was not as "dusty" as I would've liked, but a cross between slightly sticky and dusty. Question is can you make this work, and at what time in morning is it too late to pollinate? Thanks.

7/18/2012 3:42:49 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I cut some open and used them that way. It worked on a field pumpkin. Unless you had the flowers covered the bees probably all ready did.:)

7/18/2012 5:44:00 PM

Centennial, Co.

Thanks, Darren. I cut the flowers the night before and had them in house, safe & sound minus bees!!!! They were almost totally open, so had to coax just a bit. The pollin seemed ok, dusty but also a bit sticky,. I guess we shall see. Thanks for response.

7/18/2012 6:14:06 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Yo nukid, I think you done OK, they dont have to be totally open..they were probably cold....I like to warm them a bit if I cut them.....like when the sun hitZ them in the morning....
and sometimes I have to help them open such aZ you did....

7/19/2012 9:41:52 AM

Centennial, Co.

WiZ...thanks so much. I had the exact problem this morning. I did put them in sun, but don't how long to wait in morning before I lose the window. They would've opened if had a few more hours. What is a safe amount of time before female is not usable?

7/19/2012 3:38:58 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Mine dont open either...dont sweat it.. I drive to the patch. Grab my flowerZ, put onto the hood of the car for minuteZ,,,, then I rip em open, toss the petals away becuase the bees will go after them instead of my open female giving me a warning.....then I use them.
I like to pollinate before 9AM and had great success this way.

7/19/2012 4:37:27 PM

Frankfort Ohio

i have used a hair dryer on low for a few the open right up

7/19/2012 6:21:50 PM

Centennial, Co.

Thanks everyone!!! Always questions....always learning!!!

7/19/2012 6:52:50 PM