If you are growing cucumbers, squash, melons and peppers in your vegetable garden, you have probably noticed that there are two types of flowers on your plants. Some flowers form a fruit and others do not. So what is the difference between the flowers?
This is a male flower on a yellow squash plant. To make a yellow squash it requires a male and a female flower. Cross pollination needs to take place between the two flowers. Each plant will make their own male and female flowers. The male flowers just have a long stem.
The female flowers on the other hand, have a flower attached to what looks like a baby squash. This baby squash is actually the ovaries. It will not become an adult squash unless the female flower is pollinated.
As I was taking these pictures, there were several bees flying around. Bees are natural pollinators. If fruit is not forming on your plants, you might not have enough bees doing their job! You can self pollinate using a q-tip if you suspect your plants are not getting pollinated by by bees and bugs.
Another thing to consider is that these “vegetables” are actually fruits! I always think of squash and cucumbers as vegetables but they are actually fruit due to their plant and flower anatomy!
Latest posts by Renae Chiovaro (see all)
- Last Minute Batgirl Costume - October 22, 2016
- Agnes & Dora: Comfortable & Affordable Clothing - September 19, 2016
- Life is a Highway - September 17, 2016
I just planted squash for the first time this year. I was wondering why I had so many yellow flowers…but no zucchini. Thanks for sharing this info!