Pollination and Weather

This morning (Sunday) was just beautiful. The sky was blue, no clouds,
the ground was very muddy and the temperatures in the low 80s. This was a
great day as I pollinated my first pumpkin, the 858 Baird. This next week
promises to be great as the temperatures are predicted to be in the low
80s or upper 70s. NO RAIN IS IN THE FORECAST!!!!  The 696 Klema will be
pollinated on Monday. If the first pollination takes, I do not expect to
keep it as the five segments in the flower did not look like a winner.

The past two weeks in southeastern Minnesota has been the spot for severe
thunderstorms after severe thunderstorms. Heavy rain, tornado warnings,
hail, high winds (50-80 MPH), flash floods, downed trees, power losses
(several times), etc. Friday evening, the three main highways to the
Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) were closed due to flash floods and that includes
an Interstate. Saturday evening, power to ALL southeastern Minnesota was
lost and it might be until the end of the week before all is restored (
that also includes areas in the Cities)

With all the severe storms, it is surprising that I had any plants left.
One plant was half underwater, all plants had leaves broken and/or stuck
to the ground. New growth was covered with dirt and many were stuck in the
mud. New female blossom were found at the end of the new growth all
covered with mud. This year, I do not have to bury my vines as they were
all buried by the results of the weather. This is why I am so glad that no
rain is forecast this coming week. Several large tree limbs surrounding
the garden area were broken. The sweet corn was leaning at a 45 degree
angle and other vegetables looked a little beat up. BUT, they are all
still alive and new growth will take over.

All the rain does help me in one regard -- I will not have to water the
pumpkins for awhile. All my watering is done by those 5 gallon buckets
that I carry from the stream by the garden. From the previous discussion
on this subject, I will save a lot of miles.   :-)

Good pollinating!

George Heyne
Rochester, Mn


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