saving a flower or pollen for hand-pollination

9 years ago

Can I pick a flower from my pumpkin plant and save it for future hand pollination?

Grasshoppers are devouring every new flower that shows up on my pumpkin plants. I was hoping to pick a flower and keep it for pollination when the opposite sex flower opens. If it is possible to do this, how would I keep the flower safe? How long can I keep it for it to still be viable? Does anyone have any reliable resources or links they could send me to learn more?

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jocelynpei
9 years ago
You can pick a male flower the night before it opens and take it to the house. Put it in an eggcup full of water, could even add some grape juice to that, or clear pop. Put the whole thing in the fridge and you'll get a few days out of it, not all that long, 2 to 4 days. Take out to room temperature a couple of hours before using it so the pollen will shed. You can google saving squash pollen, if you like.
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saving a flower or pollen for hand-pollination

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jocelynpei

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