From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Montgomery, IL

Hi , i have a nice female flower out around 12 ft my 1147 shenoha plant and was wondering if there is a way to tell how long till it opens and can be fertilized.I posted a pic of the flower in my diary. This is my first year and have never done this ,so any help would be great THANKS BOB !!!!!!

7/3/2010 6:04:20 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Your pic hasn't posted yet, but I check the female flowers every evening. When one is about ping pong ball sized, starting to turn yellow, it will probably open the next day. Check every morning and you will soon learn to tell when they will open.

7/3/2010 6:59:46 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

Too much light to see the color but there is a good chance that flower will open in the morning.

7/3/2010 7:26:05 PM

Navarre,OH

Yeah not sure, if it doesnt open in the morning it will the next day for sure. Put a styrofoam cup, pantyhose or a mesh bag from like a onion bag or potato bag over the female so no bee's get to her first before you pollinate it. I go out after dew has fell with a flashlight and look for orange at the tip of the flower. If you see orange set your alarm for the morning. :)

7/3/2010 8:57:58 PM

Montgomery, IL

THANKS guys, i will have to watch it close.Is the female or male flower only good for one day,or will it close back up and re open if not polinated???

7/4/2010 8:39:50 AM

Anchorage, Alaska

Female is best pollinated as soon as she opens. The flower has a natural cycle to close up shop for the day then open again at least one more day - even if it has been pollinated. You have to tie them shut if you are trying to keep the bees out. On the third day it is wise to carefully remove the petals to keep them from rotting on top of the pumpkin.

Try to use several freshly opened males for your pollination. One flower can do the trick however they don't always produce perfect pollen. We use multiple flowers for extra insurance.

7/4/2010 10:38:00 AM

Montgomery, IL

THANKS Newman.....

7/4/2010 6:42:21 PM

Finksburg, Md

When pollinating can you take the male flower and just rub it on the female?

7/5/2010 8:12:58 AM

Navarre,OH

I do that every once in a while. That can be done or a camel hair paintbrush.

7/5/2010 8:55:33 AM

Colorado

Look for the pedals to yellow as Iowegian suggested.The evening before it opens you'll see a obvious yellowing of the outside of the flower and a lenghtening of the flower-males and females

7/5/2010 1:02:59 PM

Montgomery, IL

Thanks guys, I pollinated my first one today,i used three male flowers and then tied the female closed.??? In the am 24hrs after pollination do i remove the female flower pedals or let them fall off on there own ?

7/5/2010 1:31:34 PM

Connecticut

wait a day or two and peel it off yourself.just go easy..

7/5/2010 2:28:16 PM