You can hand-pollinate the female flowers on your plants. Simply remove a male flower and touch its anther to the stigmas of the female flowers present. Gently rub the pollen onto the inside stigma of the female flower. Make sure to come in contact with all segments of the stigma. You can leave the stamen inside the female flower, but it's not necessary.
Here's illustrations & instructions:
http://www.pumpkinnook.com/howto/pollen.htm
Keep them elevated off the ground. Make sure you don't water before 10 a.m. so your plants will have a chance to get pollinated, & don't water overhead because that could wash off the pollen on the short-lived male flowers. Replacement flowers do not open then until the following morning.
Until recently, hot weather & the rain may have delayed production. But that shouldn't be a problem now. With cooler weather there will be plenty of female flowers now... just waiting to be fertilized.
Good luck! Hope this is helpful.
2007-09-12 10:53:44
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answer #1
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answered by ANGEL 7
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It's too late in the season now, but in the future if your vines aren't producing ( which they may not very normally in the first week or two) then hand pollinate. Take a male flower, carefully strip the petals (the "penis") and gently rub it around a female flower. I'm sure she will be receptive and produce a pumpkin for you. For large pumpkins remember to water regularly, fertilize, and keep them off the ground to prevent rotting.
2007-09-12 21:26:31
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answer #2
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answered by dodgerzblue 1
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The pumpkins follow the little flowers. A bump will form behind the flower, the flower will die, and a pumpkin will grow from that bump. All you have to do is make sure they get enough water.
2007-09-12 17:27:59
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answer #3
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answered by plezurgui 6
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Once the flowers die off, the females will form the pumpkins. You will see a round type growth where the flower was. Once you see what is what, cut off excess vine to force the nutrition to the pumpkins growing.
2007-09-12 17:31:52
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answer #4
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answered by justme 6
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how about using miracle grow.
2007-09-12 22:40:01
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answer #5
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answered by always lost 2
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