[strangerachael]

How can you tell which are the male and which the female flowers? The books say the females have a small swelling behind the flower - but ALL the flowers have a small swelling behind them. I have attempted to pollinate the ones with almost imperceptibly larger swellings, with the ones with almost imperceptibly smaller swellings, but I don't think I'm doing it right. One or two flowers have just developed quite large swellings, and I don't know if these are the flowers that have been pollinated, and these are the little melons, or if they are the female flowers waiting to be pollinated... Or should I just hope that the bees do it? (They're in a greenhouse which has been closed most of the time as it's not very warm). I have two varieties: Sweetheart, and Ogen. :shock:

[Trillium]

the female plants do have the swellings just behind the flower. Look for any that don't and dip a soft small paintbrush (artist type) onto the pollen head and gently dab at the others that don't seem as swollen. Plants won't double pollinate so don't worry about that part so long as they're done.

[gobs]

Every 7th to 10th flower will be female, so you will know when you see one, most likely these are all males. Like a tiny round pea you are looking for on the bottom of the flower, which is usually of marbled colouring.

I like to take the male off and peel the petals, to expose the pollen inside and rub that on the female flower.

Don't know sweetheart, but Ogen is very good, self-branching and produces freely, don't forget to stop it after a few 2-4 fruits set!

Also, be on guard as flowers only last a day.

[mike2niner4]

Do you HAVE to pollonate them for fruit?

[Trillium]

In a greenhouse situation, yes. Out in the open, no.