Comments on: Hand-Pollinating Pumpkin and Squash http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/ An Australian family choosing to go green Tue, 08 May 2012 23:20:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-53120 Darren Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:24:22 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-53120 <p>@Nick: The female flowers are edible, as are other squash and pumpkin flowers. The only real way to tell what the vine is, is to let it grow some fruit and identify them.</p> @Nick: The female flowers are edible, as are other squash and pumpkin flowers. The only real way to tell what the vine is, is to let it grow some fruit and identify them.

]]> By: Nick from Canada http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-52681 Nick from Canada Tue, 16 Aug 2011 03:13:10 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-52681 <p>I'm glad I came across this site! I have a mystery vine growing in my garden. It looks like zucchini, but it may be some kind of winter squash (or pumpkin, as it seems to be called in your part of the world) for all I know. How can I tell? Is it only male zucchini flowers that are edible? I mean, are female flowers edible too? And if it turns out to be a squash/pumpkin plant that I've got, is it safe to eat the flowers anyway?</p> <p>Thanks a bundle!</p> I’m glad I came across this site! I have a mystery vine growing in my garden. It looks like zucchini, but it may be some kind of winter squash (or pumpkin, as it seems to be called in your part of the world) for all I know. How can I tell? Is it only male zucchini flowers that are edible? I mean, are female flowers edible too? And if it turns out to be a squash/pumpkin plant that I’ve got, is it safe to eat the flowers anyway?

Thanks a bundle!

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-51170 Darren Sat, 06 Aug 2011 11:39:41 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-51170 <p>@JoeM: Glad to help! It sounds like you're off and running now. Enjoy those pumpkins!</p> @JoeM: Glad to help! It sounds like you’re off and running now. Enjoy those pumpkins!

]]> By: JoeM http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-51086 JoeM Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:47:18 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-51086 <p>Hi Darren,</p> <p>You were right. I left the vines in to keep growing and two of the 5 plants have pumpkins on them. (There might be a third but it doesn't seem to be growing at all. The potential pumpkin is just sitting on the vine at the same size.) One of the vines sent out a side, secondary vine that produced a female flower which resulted in a pumpkin. I hand pollinated that one following your instructions so "thanks!"</p> <p>I think you are also right about the spacing. The square foot gardening site recommends one plant per 2 square feet (two 1 foot squares next to each other) so I should be doing at least that. I think the plants are too close together and the roots are fighting for space. So next yeat, I will do that and add compost to the soil, which I didn't do this year (Duh!). Some reccommend adding peat moss but I'm not sure about that one.</p> <p>Anyway, let's hope the other vines come through with a new pumpkin soon.</p> Hi Darren,

You were right. I left the vines in to keep growing and two of the 5 plants have pumpkins on them. (There might be a third but it doesn’t seem to be growing at all. The potential pumpkin is just sitting on the vine at the same size.) One of the vines sent out a side, secondary vine that produced a female flower which resulted in a pumpkin. I hand pollinated that one following your instructions so “thanks!”

I think you are also right about the spacing. The square foot gardening site recommends one plant per 2 square feet (two 1 foot squares next to each other) so I should be doing at least that. I think the plants are too close together and the roots are fighting for space. So next yeat, I will do that and add compost to the soil, which I didn’t do this year (Duh!). Some reccommend adding peat moss but I’m not sure about that one.

Anyway, let’s hope the other vines come through with a new pumpkin soon.

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-48457 Darren Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:55:03 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-48457 <p>@Hellann: That's a great idea about saving male flowers in the fridge! Thanks for sharing - I'll have to try that this spring. Kohlrabi is something I haven't grown before, but would like to try.</p> @Hellann: That’s a great idea about saving male flowers in the fridge! Thanks for sharing – I’ll have to try that this spring. Kohlrabi is something I haven’t grown before, but would like to try.

]]> By: Hellann http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-48130 Hellann Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:22:29 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-48130 <p>Awesome! Now I want to try that..lol. Just don't stand under it, just in case.. =D I think I've found what I love to grow.. pumpkins! =) BTW, I have 4 more females on the way. I've put the a couple of males in baggies in my fridge (not freezer)for just in case. (learned that tip from a 'master' gardener). Thank you so much for keeping up with this discussion! You've been a tremendous help. </p> <p>On an off note, I harvested my first kohlrabi yesterday! YAY!</p> Awesome! Now I want to try that..lol. Just don’t stand under it, just in case.. =D I think I’ve found what I love to grow.. pumpkins! =) BTW, I have 4 more females on the way. I’ve put the a couple of males in baggies in my fridge (not freezer)for just in case. (learned that tip from a ‘master’ gardener). Thank you so much for keeping up with this discussion! You’ve been a tremendous help.

On an off note, I harvested my first kohlrabi yesterday! YAY!

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-47783 Darren Sun, 17 Jul 2011 12:26:02 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-47783 <p>@Hellann: I'd let it climb the trellis. One stem of my pumpkin vine went up a tree, and I let it go to see what would happen. It grew a pumpkin up there that got to around 6 kg (12 lbs), and it didn't break the vine. In fact, the pumpkin looked perfect because no part of it had been resting on the ground!</p> @Hellann: I’d let it climb the trellis. One stem of my pumpkin vine went up a tree, and I let it go to see what would happen. It grew a pumpkin up there that got to around 6 kg (12 lbs), and it didn’t break the vine. In fact, the pumpkin looked perfect because no part of it had been resting on the ground!

]]> By: Hellann http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-47708 Hellann Sat, 16 Jul 2011 19:46:00 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-47708 <p>Thank you for the info Darren. =)</p> <p>My pumpkin is a little squished in it sounds like too. It's not stopping him though! There is a trellis nearby and he is pulling himself up there. I have been tracking this one female flower and trying to train her near to the ground. I just pollinated her this morning. She is still a bit up, but I intend on making this one work, even in the precarious spot..lol</p> <p>Ok, so advice please...If the vine won't grow down, I could make a sling type thing. Do the pumpkins have to grow on the ground for some reason? Will just supporting it be ok? I am thinking of something fine like nylons. I don't want the weight of it to break it off. </p> <p>Or I could construct a dirt table type of thing to come up to it... anyway, thanks for any ideas. =)</p> Thank you for the info Darren. =)

My pumpkin is a little squished in it sounds like too. It’s not stopping him though! There is a trellis nearby and he is pulling himself up there. I have been tracking this one female flower and trying to train her near to the ground. I just pollinated her this morning. She is still a bit up, but I intend on making this one work, even in the precarious spot..lol

Ok, so advice please…If the vine won’t grow down, I could make a sling type thing. Do the pumpkins have to grow on the ground for some reason? Will just supporting it be ok? I am thinking of something fine like nylons. I don’t want the weight of it to break it off.

Or I could construct a dirt table type of thing to come up to it… anyway, thanks for any ideas. =)

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-47138 Darren Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:29:16 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-47138 <p>@JoeM: I think one pumpkin vine per square is probably a little tight - they are hungry plants with spreading roots, and I'd be inclined to give them 4 squares each with lots of compost. I can't remember what the Square Foot Gardening book recommends for pumpkins, but I'd be interested to hear how your plants go at that spacing.</p> <p>The fruits that went yellow sound like they weren't pollinated. Perhaps temperatures weren't quite right for the female flowers to open properly. I wouldn't worry too much if the vines aren't all that old - be patient and see what happens with the next set of flowers. Don't rip them out just yet!</p> @JoeM: I think one pumpkin vine per square is probably a little tight – they are hungry plants with spreading roots, and I’d be inclined to give them 4 squares each with lots of compost. I can’t remember what the Square Foot Gardening book recommends for pumpkins, but I’d be interested to hear how your plants go at that spacing.

The fruits that went yellow sound like they weren’t pollinated. Perhaps temperatures weren’t quite right for the female flowers to open properly. I wouldn’t worry too much if the vines aren’t all that old – be patient and see what happens with the next set of flowers. Don’t rip them out just yet!

]]> By: JoeM http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-47097 JoeM Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:41:05 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-47097 <p>Hello. Great discussion!</p> <p>My kids and I are growing pumpkins (5 plants) in a square foot garden with one plant per square and the vines are doing well. The base of the vines are dark green, round, and thick. All of the plants have been producing nice big leaves and many male flowers.</p> <p>We recently got some female flowers/pumpkins (one per vine) about a week or 2 ago but now they are turning yellow and starting to fall off! And the flower hasn't even been close to opening! What is going on?!? I have been giving them an organic fertilizer (2-3-1) but not a lot. Am I watering them too much? If they do fall off, should I rip out the vines?</p> <p>Any help would be greatly appreciated!</p> Hello. Great discussion!

My kids and I are growing pumpkins (5 plants) in a square foot garden with one plant per square and the vines are doing well. The base of the vines are dark green, round, and thick. All of the plants have been producing nice big leaves and many male flowers.

We recently got some female flowers/pumpkins (one per vine) about a week or 2 ago but now they are turning yellow and starting to fall off! And the flower hasn’t even been close to opening! What is going on?!? I have been giving them an organic fertilizer (2-3-1) but not a lot. Am I watering them too much? If they do fall off, should I rip out the vines?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-47026 Darren Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:39:33 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-47026 <p>@Hellann: I let as many pumpkins grow as I can. This year I got 14 pumpkins from 2 self-seeded vines, which was great! If you're growing for size (e.g. for competition), then you would let a few pumpkins start and then select the best-looking one and prune off the others. Don't forget to give the plant plenty of compost and liquid fertiliser, as they get pretty hungry when they have lots of babies to feed.</p> @Hellann: I let as many pumpkins grow as I can. This year I got 14 pumpkins from 2 self-seeded vines, which was great! If you’re growing for size (e.g. for competition), then you would let a few pumpkins start and then select the best-looking one and prune off the others. Don’t forget to give the plant plenty of compost and liquid fertiliser, as they get pretty hungry when they have lots of babies to feed.

]]> By: Hellann http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-47020 Hellann Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:11:05 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-47020 <p>Thanks so much for this article and discussion!! Ok, question: How many pumpkins on a sweet pumpkin plant should I let grow? (assuming of course that I get any to go =p ) Is it just one a vine or as many as I can get? I have no idea what it can or should support. This is my first year gardening other than a few containers of broccoli that got eaten by moose. lol</p> Thanks so much for this article and discussion!! Ok, question: How many pumpkins on a sweet pumpkin plant should I let grow? (assuming of course that I get any to go =p ) Is it just one a vine or as many as I can get? I have no idea what it can or should support. This is my first year gardening other than a few containers of broccoli that got eaten by moose. lol

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-43974 Darren Sat, 18 Jun 2011 12:26:38 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-43974 <p>@Axel: Yep, like most species, once the pollination is done the male is no longer needed! It's the females that will turn into the fruit. You can eat the male flowers, though.</p> @Axel: Yep, like most species, once the pollination is done the male is no longer needed! It’s the females that will turn into the fruit. You can eat the male flowers, though.

]]> By: axel witt http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-43857 axel witt Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:30:31 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-43857 <p>Am I correct by assuming that the male squash flower will not produce any fruit?? I have noticed that all of the flowers fall of at the stem after blooming for a few days?? Thanks, axel witt</p> Am I correct by assuming that the male squash flower will not produce any fruit?? I have noticed that all of the flowers fall of at the stem after blooming for a few days?? Thanks, axel witt

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-41707 Darren Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:51:09 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-41707 <p>@Tyler: Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you'll get some more develop soon.</p> @Tyler: Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you’ll get some more develop soon.

]]> By: Tyler Behl http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-41616 Tyler Behl Thu, 02 Jun 2011 03:09:17 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-41616 <p>So far, the pumpkin vine has been doing bad as far as producing fruit. :( But I did get one fruit to grow a little. Unfortunately, a squirrel took it. I think it was attracted by the other gardens we have growing in our yard...</p> So far, the pumpkin vine has been doing bad as far as producing fruit. :( But I did get one fruit to grow a little. Unfortunately, a squirrel took it. I think it was attracted by the other gardens we have growing in our yard…

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-41069 Darren Sat, 28 May 2011 12:26:32 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-41069 <p>@Angela: I wouldn't ditch it, it's quite common to just get male flowers only at first. Once the plant is large, it can help to prune the growing tips. This will encourage it to spread laterally, and it will often put out female flowers then. One of my current pumpkin vines covered about 20 m2 or more before it had set any fruit at all! It's now got at least a dozen good-sized pumpkins.</p> @Angela: I wouldn’t ditch it, it’s quite common to just get male flowers only at first. Once the plant is large, it can help to prune the growing tips. This will encourage it to spread laterally, and it will often put out female flowers then. One of my current pumpkin vines covered about 20 m2 or more before it had set any fruit at all! It’s now got at least a dozen good-sized pumpkins.

]]> By: Angela http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-41016 Angela Sat, 28 May 2011 03:20:42 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-41016 <p>I was just wondering, my pumpkin plant has no female flowers at all.......loads of male flowers but not one flower. Is there anything that I can do to try and encourage the female flowers to grow or do I ditch this attempt and start again?</p> I was just wondering, my pumpkin plant has no female flowers at all…….loads of male flowers but not one flower. Is there anything that I can do to try and encourage the female flowers to grow or do I ditch this attempt and start again?

]]> By: Tyler Behl http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-37107 Tyler Behl Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:51:28 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-37107 <p>Thanks! I forgot which was which. Very good job! You kept it simple and quick. I'll post an update here about how the pumpkins go!</p> Thanks! I forgot which was which. Very good job! You kept it simple and quick. I’ll post an update here about how the pumpkins go!

]]> By: Jill http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-20733 Jill Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:52:30 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-20733 <p>Hi Darren, Forgive my ignorance, but what is cross pollination and why is it detrimental to the plant?</p> Hi Darren, Forgive my ignorance, but what is cross pollination and why is it detrimental to the plant?

]]> By: Emily http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-20705 Emily Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:13:33 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-20705 <p>I found your site a few weeks back. I have a mystery vine (pumpkin I think). I have been watching for female flowers and found my first today! I followed your advice. Very exciting. Here is a link to the photo album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189679&id=581838334&l=fbb92e805d</p> <p>~ Emily in Columbus, Ohio</p> I found your site a few weeks back. I have a mystery vine (pumpkin I think). I have been watching for female flowers and found my first today! I followed your advice. Very exciting. Here is a link to the photo album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189679&id=581838334&l=fbb92e805d

~ Emily in Columbus, Ohio

]]> By: Diane Allred http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-19268 Diane Allred Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:44:41 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-19268 <p>Hello, my problem is that the female flower opened up yesterday and the male flower looks to be opening up tomorrow. Do you think it will be too late to pollinate the female? I have another female flower growing what should I do if no males are ready when she is? Thanks, Diane</p> Hello, my problem is that the female flower opened up yesterday and the male flower looks to be opening up tomorrow. Do you think it will be too late to pollinate the female? I have another female flower growing what should I do if no males are ready when she is? Thanks, Diane

]]> By: Betty http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-18917 Betty Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:04:18 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-18917 <p>I am so glad that I found this discussion. Today I manually pollinated a squash flower for the first time, since I have always had a problem with baby squashlets dying from lack of pollination - even tho there's always lot of males. I don't know why the bees aren't doing their duty, 'cuz there are some in the garden.</p> <p>Now, I am going to try euthanizing some male flowers and see if I get a few more females. Thanks for this forum and all your advice, all of you.</p> <p>-Betty in Canada.</p> I am so glad that I found this discussion. Today I manually pollinated a squash flower for the first time, since I have always had a problem with baby squashlets dying from lack of pollination – even tho there’s always lot of males. I don’t know why the bees aren’t doing their duty, ‘cuz there are some in the garden.

Now, I am going to try euthanizing some male flowers and see if I get a few more females. Thanks for this forum and all your advice, all of you.

-Betty in Canada.

]]> By: Joelene http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-18821 Joelene Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:52:38 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-18821 <p>I am glad I stumbled along to this sight, I was actually trying to figure out if Pumpkin is frost toerate or not. Since you mention Zucchini's is it normal for the flowers to bloom then by evening start to close back up?</p> I am glad I stumbled along to this sight, I was actually trying to figure out if Pumpkin is frost toerate or not. Since you mention Zucchini’s is it normal for the flowers to bloom then by evening start to close back up?

]]> By: Darren http://green-change.com/2009/06/04/hand-pollinating-pumpkin-and-squash/#comment-18765 Darren Sun, 04 Jul 2010 22:24:01 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=831#comment-18765 <p>@Deni: If they're not getting in the way, I'd leave the leaves to grow. The more leaves, the more sunlight the plant can turn into food and the more fruit it can produce.</p> @Deni: If they’re not getting in the way, I’d leave the leaves to grow. The more leaves, the more sunlight the plant can turn into food and the more fruit it can produce.

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