Now that my pumpkins have taken off in all this heat, I have a whole lot of female flowers but no pumpkins. Is there a trick to self-pollinating them? |
Usually the first flowers are all male; after a week or so the plant will produce female flowers which will set pumpkins. This provides for a good ratio for pollination and allows the vine to gain sufficient size prior to producing pumpkins. Bees will usually accomplish the pollination for you, but if you are worried, hand pollination is also effective. Some gardeners use a small brush to accomplish this. Good luck with your pumpkins! |