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Location

Message

Date Posted

Central Illinois

During times of hot weather has anyone tried putting ice blocks next to the male flower like we do with the females, could poor pollination rates be due to dead pollen.

Has anyone put ice next to the females the evening before the flower opens and then continue for several hours after.

6/4/2017 9:15:02 AM

Grittyville, WA

I saw it done in a diary. dont remember/know if it worked but the idea has been tried. I wonder if the issue is more the overall stress on the entire plant but maybe it's just the blossom and pollen if it's an overall stress issue just set up some overhead irrigation. most water coming out of the ground is like 40 to 60 degrees? so that should solve the problem!

6/4/2017 6:45:43 PM

Grittyville, WA

maybe that wont work for you though. idk

6/4/2017 6:51:07 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

bait, I cut males the night b/4 they will open and keep inside of an air conditioned house. Put them in the sun, early the next a.m., they open quickly. Then I go uncover the female I want to pollinate that day. Still, things go south sometimes...If way hot, I try & cool the female area, but don't know if it is pollen getting too hot, or the female??? Peace, Wayne

6/5/2017 12:16:05 AM

Central Illinois

I have iced the females starting the morning of pollination, with 50/50 results, seems bees can do it just about any day of the week.

6/5/2017 8:30:27 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

baitman...try starting the cooling process of the night b/4 pollination day! Peace, Wayne

6/6/2017 12:49:52 AM

Central Illinois

Possible that the unpollinated pumpkin could get too hot inside?

6/6/2017 8:12:11 AM