I have several thriving pumpkin vines. No mildew or other disease or parasite problems. I have one fruit that has formed which you can practically watch as it grows. I have many female flowers which begin to form (with the fruit at the base) but before the flower actually opens, the fruit shrivels up and dies. I have read materials which say that a lack of pollination is the cause for withered fruit and that manual pollination would be the work-around. However, does this apply if the female flowers haven't even opened yet? How does one pollinate a flower if it isn't ready yet? Also, could there be another issue which is causing the withering fruit?
Thanks in advance.