[vanessa.xx]

I have been getting excited for over a week now since I saw my first female flower bud on my pumpkin, but now it looks like the flower is getting ready to open and none of the male flowers look anywhere near  I was sooo hoping this would be my first ever pumpkin, it will break my heart if it doesn't set  how long do female flowers stay open for?

[Herb]

Not sure you're long they last, but the bees could pollinate it for you if a plot neighbour also has pumpkins.

[vanessa.xx]

 No plot neighbours to help as they mostly have my spare pumpkin plants (way too many germinated) and they are no where near as big as mine 

[simonwatson]

I think any curcurbit will do, be it pumpkin, courgette or cucumber.

[Rosehip]

Just had a read up on this and it seems,courgettes, pumpkins,butternut and summer squash are from the same family cucurbits. Could you get some courgette flowers and try this?

[vanessa.xx]

oooh interesting I have a butternut that has a male flower about to open I suppose its worth a try  thank you xx

[Rosehip]

I'm just thinking the same,have another butternut fruit that needs to be pollinated,could have tried this out today.

[chickpeacurry]

I have three pumpkins all with flowers. They seem to be growing a long stem off the flower. Is this a problem.  Didn't realise there might be a problem with pollination.  Can you do this with a brush if no bees

[vanessa.xx]

I was planning on giving nature a helping hand by picking a male flower taking all the petals off it and then "cough" infiltrating the female flower with it  but it can be done with a brush cotton bud etc

[Yorkie]

Be aware that if you use a flower from a different variety then you may well get a completely unpredictable result ... 

It is common for flowers to be only male or only female to start with - the plant soon works out how to get both out at the same time!

[vanessa.xx]

Be aware that if you use a flower from a different variety then you may well get a completely unpredictable result ... 

It is common for flowers to be only male or only female to start with - the plant soon works out how to get both out at the same time!

I thought it was only if you saved the seed then the following year you might end up with weird and interesting results, this particular pumpkin has masses of male flowers and one female with a lovely round would be pumpkin behind it, it's just none of the males look ready to open 

[Rosehip]

From what i have read its only if your saving seed the cross pollination matters,but to get fruit this year you can use different cucurbit once its the same family.This is interesting
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1996/8-23-1996/crosspol.html

[simonwatson]

That's right, cross pollination only results in malformed fruit in the next generation. I seem to remember so amusing pics on this forum about that.

[mumofstig]

Yup, as has been said -  the ones you are growing to eat will be fine, but don't save seed for next year

[Herb]

Yup, as has been said -  the ones you are growing to eat will be fine, but don't save seed for next year

I've read conflicting reports on this - and I had some strange looking fruit last year from new seed!