How does pollination work (for indoor pumpkin seedlings)
May 3, 2022 5:42 PM   Subscribe

I bought my son some little seedling packet at the supermarket. We planted basil, tomatoes, pumpkin and lentils a few weeks ago. It's been chilly here so they're still inside. The thing is, the pumpkins are about to bloom. They need to be pollinated to go from flower to pumpkin right? Do I need to get them outside before the flowers open? Can I pollinate them with a q-tip?

There are currently four plants growing in a little container maybe 3 inches by 6 inches and 3 inches deep in my condo window. The plan is to take them to grandmas when we're sure it won't get cold again, but it's been an up and down spring. Do we need them outside where they can get some pollinator action? Or can I just do it myself with my finger or a q-tip or whatever?

My son is super excited about Halloween with his very own pumpkins so I don't want to mess this up!
posted by If only I had a penguin... to Science & Nature (6 answers total)
 
Best answer: I think a small paintbrush like for watercolors might work better,.but yeah I'd wait until there were male and female blossoms on at least a couple plants, and get busy like a bee! Great educational opportunity for your son too 😊
posted by The otter lady at 5:57 PM on May 3, 2022


Response by poster: There are male and female blossoms? I thought each flower had both sets of parts. Also, I have to put pollen from one plant onto a different plant right? Like not flowers within the same plant? If one plant flowers before the others (as is likely happening) how will that work?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:09 PM on May 3, 2022


Best answer: What is your long term goal? To plant them in the ground or to keep them in pots? If you want to plant them in the ground, simply pinch off the flowers now as they will establish themselves better once transplanted if you remove these flowers (which you can eat). Squashes produce lots of flowers and will happily produce more for you once they have been transplanted. If you want to grow them in a pot, this is quite difficult to do for a pumpkin and you will need a very large pot.
posted by ssg at 6:30 PM on May 3, 2022 [3 favorites]


Best answer: No, squash have separate male and female flowers, and produce them sequentially, female later (sometimes much later).
You can tell the female flowers by their ovaries, which are literally tiny green pumpkins at the base of the flower (all fruits are ovaries).

More info from the TAMU extension here.

(On preview: agree to pinch and eat the male flowers, and yes this will work best if you can get them out.)
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:34 PM on May 3, 2022


Response by poster: Yes, the plan is to plant them outside as soon as the risk of cold passes. Likely this weekend or next. Ok, so should I cut off the flowers now, or wait until they open?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:12 PM on May 3, 2022


Personally, I'd pinch of the flowers that are there now, but if they aren't even open yet, it's not a big deal to just leave them for a week or more. It won't make a huge difference either way.

What you really want with a start in a pot is to develop a strong root system before you plant it in the ground. What's above the ground matters less than the part you can't see.
posted by ssg at 8:44 PM on May 3, 2022


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