Monday, June 23, 2014

How to Self Pollinate Squash and Pumpkins

Sometimes the bees just do not work as hard as I would like in my garden. To insure you get a bumper crop of squash and pumpkins, I am going to show you how to do the bees work and pollinate your squash and pumpkins yourself. 
You will notice on your vines lots of yellow flowers and most are on long thin stems. These are the male flowers or stamen.
In the morning when the flowers are at their largest and most open, pick a nice male stamen flower. I peel the petals back to get to the center where the pollen is.
Now find your female flowers known as pistils. They will be on the small little squash or pumpkins.
Now take the male stamen and brush that pollen all the way down into the center of the female blossom as in the photo at the top. That's all there is to it. This may not work 100% of the time but it really helps to ensure I get a good crop of squash and pumpkins. And that my friends is how you do the bees work and self pollinate your squash and pumpkins.
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3 comments:

  1. Good info my fellow gardener!!!
    xo Kris

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  2. Whoa!
    I got excited just thinking about it! LOL...
    Now, does this work on Tomatoes?
    There is the problem see... lots of flowers on my 'maters...but hardly any 'maters!
    Pat

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  3. I've done this and it does work! Enjoy your squash!

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