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Hinckley MN

How do you tell if the flower will open the next morning? A week ago it was warm and they were opening earlier than I expected. Now the lows are in the 40's and they are taking forever to open. I have three flowers that the petals are starting to turn orange/yellow. If they don't open on their own can I cheat and open them to pollinate early? I ask because i am away from home and it is 150 miles round trip to drive home to pollinate with the 2328 flowers which were picked Sunday. They are refrigerated, but have a finite shelf life. Any suggestions?

7/1/2014 6:21:34 PM

Fairfield, CT, 06825

Chris is being very cool when it comes to his pollination donations... Very cool!!!

7/1/2014 7:27:13 PM

Hinckley MN

The flowers are plenty mature this morning. 50 degrees and falling. We'll see if they take. Everyone in my unit thinks I'm crazy driving 500 miles this week just to tend my pumpkins.

7/2/2014 6:35:39 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

I've had the same problem with opening earlier before in the heat and now they are sitting still in the cold messing up my plans.

7/2/2014 8:20:48 AM

Central Minnesota

LOL, they are smarter then us. When the temps are ideal they mature fast and open quick. When it gets cold like this they go into a "holding" pattern it seems. Did you notice your main basically did not grow either, yet the sides continue. Those that should have opened this AM will be tomorrow morning after todays sun.

7/2/2014 9:09:26 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

I had two open at once off of the main on the 1725. They where back to back...First time I ever seen that...

7/2/2014 12:04:28 PM

Rhode Island

on a rare occasion we have opened a petal when it starts showing puffy and flower color.then we hit it again the next a.m.for good measure
pollinations always took.
pap

7/3/2014 4:10:54 PM