Marianne's Response
Sungron’s Question
I have been hand pollinating squash this year and it’s working well. My question is whether it is necessary for the female flower to fully open before pollination. Sometimes after they open they fill with rain or shrivel before I get to them. Can I gently open the female flower to pollinate and jump start the process or should I wait?
Posted by on September 3, 2013
Marianne's Response
Jump in and get that pollen onto the mother flower. In rainy climates sometimes Mother Nature needs some help getting squash to form and as long as the female flower is developed enough to open the petals, it is mature enough to accept the pollen. Another trick is to plant flowers such as sedum 'Autumn Joy' or sage near your squash so that the bees will be drawn to the area and help out with the pollinating. Enjoy the squash you help create, Marianne Binetti
