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Re: Pumpkin Pollination

Pumpkin Pilgrim,
   It is perfectly O.K. to pollinate with blossoms from the same plant. Many
also use blooms from others. The idea was that you would get some vigor
(heterosis) from disimilar plants. The hybrid vigor that comes from crossing
disimilar lines after an extensive inbreeding program on both sides is not
the same as crossing two "heinz 57 varieties". Many pumpkin plants are so
messed up genetically that the results of a cross are totally unreliable.
Anyway, your other question was about pollen. If you have a female open with
no open males in sight, you will be out of luck, for that female will not
set. Your only hope would be to go to another local grower and borrow a few
male flowers, first thing in the morning. George Brooks just did that for a
guy in Mass.
  P.S. How did you get the name pumpkin Pilgrim....just a nickname or are you
a Mayflower descendant?
                                              pumkinguy@aol.com
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