Nonpollinating pumpkins

» Georgene A. Bramlage - Container gardening with pumpkins

This is a "stumper." A friend's granddaughter is growing pumpkins in a container on her deck. Both the friend and her husband are botanists (albeit physiologists), and have asked my husband and me, since they can't figure it out, why there are no pumpkins being set. Apparently there is pollen and they even tried to pollinate using a cue-tip. It's been a while since we've grown any pumpkins...so is there something new in the world of pumpkins we don't know about? Any comments or ideas will be appreciated. Thanks.

-- posted by Georgene A. Bramlage

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» Arzeena - Pollinating pumpkins

It's my understanding that members of the squash family need to be pollinated more than once to ensure proper fruit set. Normally, bees would be doing this and would make sure that pollen was being transferred a number of times. This could be part of your problem.

The other might just be pollen viability. If it's been too hot or if your plants are water stressed at all, the pollen may not be active or the flower just not receptive.

Unless you're in the southern hemisphere, I would think that's probably it for the season. If no fruits have set yet, they probably won't this year.

Too bad! I hope they have better luck next year.

-- posted by Arzeena

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