squelch flora can not produce any fruit without a pollinator doing its line of work of pollination . Bees and insects ordinarily pollinate the squash efflorescence , but humans can accomplish the undertaking when these are not present .
Reasons To Hand Pollinate
The result of a wane bee universe in some area is poor or even no pollination of plant such as squash . moth-eaten , showery and passing hot days can also boil down pollination activity temporarily . Even with the lack of bees , a gardener can warrant pollenation by read and then applying the art of hand pollination .
manus pollenation is necessary for squash plant that are covered with row covers or maturate indoors . To prevent adultsquash vine borersfrom laying testis on plant , some nurseryman select to use row covers or develop in greenhouses . Hand pollination is all important in this situation .
Flower Identification
Squash plants contain both virile and female flowers on each plant life . Before script pollinating can occur , a gardener must be able-bodied to place the manly and female squash works flowers .
Male Flowers
About six calendar week aftergerminationthe first male flowers appear on the squash flora . Here are some visible characteristics to identify on the male flower :
Female Flowers
distaff flowers of squash rackets plants come along after the male flowers germinate . The color of the female flowers is always the same as the manlike blossom of that plant . Here are other visible characteristic that aid in the identification of the female flush :
Timing of Pollination
Female prime do not appear on thesquash plantuntil pollen is present in the manlike flush . When the distaff flowers look , it is time to hand pollinate .
Early morning is the time of the solar day squeeze flowers open ; therefore , this is when hired man pollenation should be performed . Humidity is usually higher in the early dawn . The pollen therefore sticks to the female ’s stigma advantageously .
Technique of Pollination
To accomplish hand pollination , first , cautiously cut the theme of a male flower from the vine . Next , gently tear off the flower petals , keep the pollen - covered anther connected to the stem . The final step is to thoroughly spread over the distaff brand with the pollen from the male anther . Each male peak has enough pollen to munificently cover about five female mark .
Hand pollination can also be accomplished with a small , soft paintbrush . just , transfer the pollen from the male anther to the female mark . With either method , dressing occurs . The ovary of the female flower begin to swell and develop a yield . Repeat this over and over again to reap a bountiful harvest .
