Zucchini is a summer squash that develops vigorously in warm, summer weather. Like all squash, zucchini plants have both male and female blooms, which have distinct, visible differences. New squash develops when the male flower fertilizes the the female flower, which happens when bees or other insects transfer the pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers. In the absence of bees, the female blooms are pollinated by hand.
Check the blossom stems. The male blossom has a long, slender stem, while the female blossom is on a short stem.
Look at the point where the petals of the blossom attach to the stem. Male blossoms have only a slender stalk, while female blossoms display a small bulbous area, which is the ovary -- an unfertilized zucchini.
Inspect inside the open blooms. Only the male blossom has a stamen in the center of the flower. The pollen on the stamen pollinates the female plant.
- The window of time for pollination of zucchini is short, as male and female squash blossoms are open for only one day, opening in the morning and closing by midafternoon. Pollination, either by bees or humans, is most effective in early to midmorning. One male bloom has enough pollen to fertilize several female blooms.
- Squash plants develop an overabundance of male flowers, which are delicious dipped in batter and fried, or eaten raw in salads. Be sure to leave a few male blooms for pollination.
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