I'm confused about pumpkins

[BP]

If you are going to build a trellis for melons, I suggest using wood instead of pvc. A couple of those 5 foot sections on mine are sagging pretty bad from the fruit being tied to them. I'm going to make a few modifications to that trellis and use it for beans and pickling cucumbers next year.
I can't plant melons again til around June 1st, but am already in the design phase of the next trellis for them. It will be wood frame covered with fencing with crossbars fairly close together. I want to build detachable shelves so I can place them wherever I want on any crossbar to set growing fruit on.

[C00KiE46]

^^^I can imagine all the weight their putting on the trellis So I'll most likely use wood. The shelves do sound like a good idea.

[Liska]

I can relate to some of the posts in here! I couldn't stand it anymore, so I planted three pumpkin plants. In a pot, in hopes that the vines would droop over the side of the pot (it's a 30") and take over the patio to their hearts desire! They are strangely doing well, but so far all male flowers but no females. They are growing into the pot surface itself as well, and I know they're crowded, but I'm hoping to get at least one sugar pie pumpkin this year! Next year, they can have their own section of the yard

[stella1751]

They are strangely doing well, but so far all male flowers but no females.

Liska, I have read about a dozen pumpkin-growing websites in the last week or so, and I can't find the one I was going to show you In it, the author said that pumpkins put on male flowers first so the bees learn to include it on their morning run, sort of like penciling you in for an 8 AM pick-up. By the time the female flowers have bloomed, you are a regular stop on their route.

If you want me to find that website for you, let me know. The above is a liberal paraphrase

^^^I can imagine all the weight their putting on the trellis So I'll most likely use wood. The shelves do sound like a good idea.

This link will take you to a fascinating link onpumpkin trellisses. The author describes how pumpkins can be trained to grow up onto a roof. Seriously. It's pretty brief, but it might make you think. I know it's making me think.

[garden5]

I think that instead of a trellis just building a shelf would be best. At the very least, don't bother with the standard trellis sheets. You'd be better off crossing 2x2s so you have the added strength.

[Liska]

Liska, I have read about a dozen pumpkin-growing websites in the last week or so, and I can't find the one I was going to show you In it, the author said that pumpkins put on male flowers first so the bees learn to include it on their morning run, sort of like penciling you in for an 8 AM pick-up. By the time the female flowers have bloomed, you are a regular stop on their route.

That actually makes a lot of sense, I just put the pumpkins in a really freaking stupid place. Up on my patio, by itself, out of sight of any thing that flies by. So i moved it down by the shed to where the bees already hang out instead. Hoping that when they finally do come up with a female flower, the bees are more likely to notice!

[applestar]

Stella, I mentioned the male flowers opening first so the bees are around by the time the female flowers opens as a working theory of mine (as in a passing I had) a while back . I love it when more methodical and scientific brains confirm things I've been noodling about, so do let us know if you come across that website again.

[stella1751]

That actually makes a lot of sense, I just put the pumpkins in a really freaking stupid place. Up on my patio, by itself, out of sight of any thing that flies by. So i moved it down by the shed to where the bees already hang out instead. Hoping that when they finally do come up with a female flower, the bees are more likely to notice!

Liska, here's a brief, user-friendly, clearly illustrated blog on hand-pollinating pumpkins. (BP mentioned this re: watermelons in another thread.) I did this for the second time today, and it's easier than I thought it would be.

Cautionary note: Hand-pollination is addictive. I have reached a sorry state in my hand-pollination phase, taking it to excess as I so frequently do when I discover something new and interesting. This morning, I felt a stab of extreme annoyance when I found I would have to wait for a bee to finish with a female flower before I could hand-pollinate the flower with the male anther I was holding in my hand

Stella, I mentioned the male flowers opening first so the bees are around by the time the female flowers opens as a working theory of mine (as in a passing I had) a while back . I love it when more methodical and scientific brains confirm things I've been noodling about, so do let us know if you come across that website again.

Applestar, I'm off to look for it now!

[stella1751]

Stella, I mentioned the male flowers opening first so the bees are around by the time the female flowers opens as a working theory of mine (as in a passing I had) a while back . I love it when more methodical and scientific brains confirm things I've been noodling about, so do let us know if you come across that website again.

Ha! It took a while, but I found it. Best of all, given your reference to "methodical and scientific brains," the article's publisher is indeed reputable, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Way to go! This wouldn't have occurred to me, but it does make sense.

[applestar]

Thanks, Stella!
I'm going to go read it as soon as I'm done!

[garden5]

I hear what you are saying about the hand-pollination. I found myself going out into the garden every mornig and taking the male flowers around to the female ones.

I wonder which is better, using the actual male flower, or just transferring pollen with a q-tip. I would think that using the actual flower is better.

[C00KiE46]

This was the biggest pumpkin in my garden. My dog got to it and either clawed at it or tried to eat it Will it be ok?

[stella1751]

This was the biggest pumpkin in my garden. My dog got to it and either clawed at it or tried to eat it Will it be ok?

I'm thinking your dog clawed it. That particular pumpkin definitely looks like a cat or a squirrel and, as such, probably deserved a clawing. (Well, close enough for dogs, anyway.)

I recently found a website that talks about writing your child's name in a young pumpkin, using a sharp instrument, which I found a little odd, but it's been a long time since I had a yound child onsite. Supposedly this is an acceptable gardening practice. Based upon that website, which I can find if you are interested, I'm betting this clawing will not harm the pumpkin.

[C00KiE46]

^^^I'm relieved. That was the biggest one so far so I'm glad it will be ok. I think I read an article about that. I don't remember on how deep they wanted you to carve in. I'm just glad it will be ok

[garden5]

I've heard about that, too. I think you're just supposed to scratch the skin. what will happen is it will scar over and grow with with pumpkin. Haven't yet has pumpkin big enough to try it with, though.