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Bee Aware – Some Plants Require Pollinators
Have you ever watched your cucumber, squash, or zucchini plants produce numerous blooms, only to wonder later why only a few mature to be harvested? Cucumber, squash, and zucchini plants have male and female flowers and require pollination in order to bear fruit. The female flower will have the recognizable beginning of the small cucumber, squash, or zucchini at the base of the flower, and male flowers are often more numerous. Both male and female flowers are typically open for only one day and the female flowers require pollination in order for the fruit to set. The male blooms, along with female blooms that have not been pollinated will drop, while female flowers that have been sufficiently pollinated will continue to grow the harvestable produce. Planting flowers that attract bees around these varieties that require pollination will help ensure a larger crop!
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