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17 Sep 23 Lina vennix (Australia - temperate climate)

How do I identify a male and female Mediterranean marrow flower to pollinate to get marrows? I found some old seeds that I have germinated in seed trays and don’t want to lose them as I have had difficulty in finding the right marrow for our traditionalMaltese dish. I plan to donate some to the seed bank to ensure furture generations can enjoy!

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19 Sep 23 Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Australian Marrow varieties, like Zuccini are all from the Pepo family of pumpkins. Female flowers will have a tiny immature fruit at the base, while male flowers will end at the stem. Its normal for the first flush of flowers to be male only. This attracts bees to the plant before it puts energy into female flowers. You can hand pollinate by plucking a male flower, stripping the petals and then brushing the pollen on the stamen across the female flower's stigma. Marrow varieties still sold in Australia are Australian White, Cowlard Greens, Long Green Bush, Long Green Bush II, Giant, & Melbourne Cream. Australian White & Melbourne Cream may date back to World War II at least. If the squash you are growing is Cucuzza, an old mediterranean variety of gourd, then you will need to seek advice from someone else. The good news is Cucuzza seed is not rare, it is available from Eden Seeds, The Seed Collection and several other online seed stores.

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