Hi Meg--are you needing to hand pollinate because you want to save seed, or is there a pollinator shortage where you are?

My take on this would be the buds open when they are mature enough to accept pollen, but I will wait to see if any, more expert, opinions are out there.

I agree with Susan - an immature bloom that hasn't begun to open isn't going to be ready for beneficial pollination anyway - it is still too immature - so it would be a waste of time to try to pry it open.

On the other hand, you don't have to wait until it is fully open either. Once the bloom petals have unfolded from the twist and opened enough that the center is partially exposed you can hand pollinate.

I'm afraid you'll just have to depend on insects while you are on vacation. ;) But there will be more you can do when you return. If you are saving seeds then be sure to bag the blooms you are saving as squash cross easily.

Dave

Thanks for the advice! I live in the city, and bees (or other helpful pollenators) are nowhere to be found. If I don't do it by hand, then no pollenation occurs.

I'll try to be patient, and hope there's still time when I get back!

You may be surprised when you get back. ;) Many different insects including plain old flies will pollinate them.

Good luck.

Dave

I have a slightly different problem; my oldest zucchini plant is sending out female flowers first, and I'm afraid the other plants won't produce male flowers fast enough to pollinate it. I'm wondering if I can use a male flower (which I'll have to pry apart before it matures) from the same plant to pollinate the female?

eyes5 - it is the same issue. The bloom has to "reach puberty" first be it male or female. ;) Using an immature bloom isn't going to get you anything. All zuke plants will eventually develop both male and female flowers - patience.

Dave

My question is slightly different: I have had three female zukes with flowers open in the last three days. Each of them has a 2-3 inch zuke behind the flower. They all closed within a day of opening.

I haven't had a male flower open yet, although a couple seem to be almost ready to open. When they finally do open on their own, can I then go back to the semi closed female flower and pollinate them with the male?

~Susan