When can I safely assume that my yellow squash was successfully pollinated?

Question

I hand pollinated about 4 days ago just in case a bee didn't find my squash in time. The flower has withered and there is what looks like a developing squash. It's yellow and about 4 inches long. Is it safe to assume pollination was successful at this point? At what point does the squash ovary die off if not pollinated? This is my first time growing squash in containers so I am eager to be successful! : )

Answer 1

sounds like you've done a great job.

Answer 2

Bees are an essential part of the production of all vine crops. Wild bees and other insects are normally sufficient to pollinate small fields. However, where fields exceed 1 - 2 acres, bring in beehives for pollination. One hive is needed for every 2 - 3 acres of pumpkins and squash.

Place hives in protected areas at edges of fields. Since bees normally forage as close to the hive as possible, usually within ¼ mile, place hives around the field to obtain more complete pollination of large fields.

Blossom density for squashes and pumpkins is low. Therefore these crops are not very attractive to bees. In addition, each cucurbit flower has to be visited at least 15 times for complete pollination. Incomplete pollination results in small and misshapen fruit. To improve the success of pollination, place bees in fields 3 - 5 days after the first blossoms appear - at that time about 10 - 15% of the plants should have open female flowers. Because they are unaccustomed to the area, the bees will forage close to the hive and will not stray into more attractive crops further away.

Answer 3

There would be absolutely no swelling of a fruit if it had not been pollinated.

If you have fruit, however small, you have pollination.