The Man Of The House (231/365)

“Where wise actions are the fruit of life, wise discourse is the pollination.”

Bryant H. McGill (American, editor and author, b1969)

TIME:  8:21 AM
PLACE:  East side of the house
SUBJECT:  Male pumpkin flower

Did you know that pumpkin vines have male and female flowers?  Neither did I until today.  This is a male flower.  It has a center stamen that contains the pollen.  The female flower has a short stem close to the vine and has a baby pumpkin between the flower and the stem.  The female has a multi-centered stamen which must be pollinated in order for the pumpkin to grow.  Normally, bees or other insects are the natural pollinators of the pumpkin vines.  That’s what I’ve been relying on and judging by the small number of pumpkins I see growing on the vine, they are doing an ok, but not spectacular job.  I might need to be an active participant in a pumpkin pollination orgy if I really want a large amount of baby boos to harvest for this fall.  Since I’m freaky like that, I will be more than willing to lend a hand to make sure pollen is transferred.