This is a description of what I'm talking about........
Bagging Winter/Summer Squash (if you are growing more than one variety of squash, and want to save the seeds, you will need to bag the female blossoms....see attached picture).
If you want to be absolutely sure that your squash seed line remains pure, then you will want to provide a physical barrier to prevent foreign pollen from being introduced. The technique most often used by home growers is called "bagging." It is quite simple but it also is limited with regard to seed production.
To pollinate squash bag the female blossom before it opens. Early the next morning check to see if it has opened. If it has take an open male blossom off another plant of the same named variety (you'll need at least 3 plants of the same cultivar growing) and pollinate the female. Rebag the female blossom so insects don't pollinate it with another variety of squash.
To "bag" a squash means to cover the blossoms before they open. Various materials can be used. Some use tulle (bridal veil fabric), pieces of nylon stockings, sheer tricot or other lightweight fabric, or bridal favor bags. Depending on the size of the bags used, the bags must be monitored and removed after pollinization (two days later) so that the squash can grow to full size without restriction. After removing the bag, mark the isolated fruit with yarn or a string to identify it when it has reached proper maturity for saving seeds.
This message was edited Mar 11, 2007 9:15 PM
