Opo observations and questions:
Our 6 Opo plants now have a total of 5 female flowers, and about a dozen identifiable male flowers in flower, with at least several more flowers on the way, but at this point those last are so young I’m not sure if they are male or female. I think from their positions* most are male. One plant has no flowers yet, but a few possible buds* — that plant germinated late and has been behind the other plants all along, so, no surprise.
I also have one fruit forming, remains of flower gone, the fruit is just over 2” long. So pollination must be occurring.
I’ve not seen any bees on / in the flowers, but, I have seen several of what appear to be gnats or fruit flies in them, plus in a couple flowers, a small yellow spotted beetle that I’m pretty sure feed on any of our squash plants. I don’t see significant damage to the Opo presently, or larger beetles yet, though. However, where I saw the beetles I picked them out and killed them.
A swallowtail butterfly was flitting around a bit, but I never saw it go to a flower.
It is now late enough in the season that the sun swings into some trees (so to speak!) around 3 pm, and the flowers close up. However, I believe they open up just after dawn even though the sun does not clear the trees to the east until much later. I believe the Opo are only getting full sun for about 6 hours a day, but so far they look healthy. Their leaves, where not blocked by higher parts of the plant itself, are a nice medium dark green.
Dumb question: Can those little flies or gnats be pollinating the Opo? They just seem to stay inside the flowers, but I did not exactly observe them all afternoon...
*A couple female flowers did not seem to have any insects in them, so I used a downy part of a chicken feather to brush the inside of an open male flower, then those female flowers. Maybe that is not necessary: I noticed that most of the male flowers came out ABOVE (tho’ not directly above) female flowers. Is this generally true of squash plants that get a good chance to climb?
I could not SEE any pollen on the (white) down of the feather.
*Also, it appears that the Opo flowers bud a bit back of the growing tip? Is this correct? If yes, then I don’t need to worry that bending back those tips will reduce flower buds just begun.
Given several days in a warm spot, the 3 oz. (approx.) of Super Phosphate I put in a gallon jug of water turned into what looks like muddy silt. Shaken, most of it seems to go into suspension and could likely be applied as a liquid fertilizer for faster results before it settled out. However, at this point I only have a couple plants I might try a 2nd (and modest) application on. If we could get maybe 10 fruits partially developed / 18-24” long, out of this year’s crop, and one that goes to maturity, for seed for next year, I’d be happy. So I’m thinking that having the plants put all their “effort” into less than a dozen fruits, rather than trying to grow 30 or 40 fruits, might be a good idea, esp. given a month at best of fairly good growing weather left. Does that seem correct???
It may be that the short period of direct sunlight, in addition to the Super Phosphate, has stimulated the Opo plants. So, those trees to the west of the Opo may actually be of some benefit in getting them to produce before cold weather arrives, by altering the “perceived length of day” with an “early” reduction in light??
Ah, I’ll retract somewhat one observation: Looking more closely, there was (is) some Super Phosphate still in granular form at the very bottom of the jug, under the “silt”. The granules seemed reduced in size, but still definitely there. Either they are VERY slow to dissolve, or, the solution in the water is saturated (like putting too much Tang in a cup of water), or, both.
Also, I note / confirm that the Opo flowers open well before full sunlight reaches them in the morning, but close almost immediately when they go into moderate shade, mid-afternoon.
The 1st fruit is now about 3” long. I’m hoping it and they all grow crazy fast. I assume nutrient levels will help this, but temperatures probably more? Anyone have a guess as to how fast is typical for Opo in particular?
My question about growing tip (leaf buds) vs. flower buds position remains. (See prev. post.)
Plenty of flowers are forming now, but I’d say over 80% are male. Is there any way to increase the female %? Is that wish sexist? - hahaha!