Hand pollinating Hue is easy. Hue, also known as Bottle Gourds, are a popular vegetable in many cultures, including New Zealand. It is a vine that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and produces large, round or bottle-shaped fruits that can be used for a variety of purposes. However, for the fruit to develop properly, the flowers need to be pollinated. Here I discuss how to hand pollinate hue (bottle gourd) flowers using a fine paintbrush.
Collecting Pollen from Male Flowers
Applying Pollen to Female Flowers
When to Hand Pollinate Hue Flowers in Aotearoa
In New Zealand, bottle gourd is typically grown during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. When hand pollenating Hue, the best time to hand pollinate the flowers is in the morning when the flowers are fully open and the pollen is most viable. It is important to hand pollinate the flowers before they wilt, which usually happens by midday.
Historical Uses of Hue in Aotearoa
Hue have a long history of use in Aotearoa and was one of the first plants introduced by Māori settlers. They used the fruit for a variety of purposes, including containers, taonga pūoro (musical instruments), and even as a flotation device for fishing nets. The Hue was also used in rongoā Māori (traditional Māori medicine) for its diuretic and laxative properties.
In summary, hand pollinating hue (bottle gourd) flowers is a simple process that can improve the quality and yield of the fruit. The best time to hand pollinate is in the morning when the flowers are fully open, and the process involves collecting pollen from the male flowers and applying it to the female flowers using a fine paintbrush. Hue have a rich history of use in Aotearoa and was an important part of the culture of Māori settlers.