From further reading, Opo are apparently night flowering (and usually pollinated at night by moths.) We have moths around, so maybe they’ll get the job done. :-)
The night flowering explains the flowers being open when I go out early in the morning, but closed up in the afternoon.
Possibly a fragrant “moth attractant” (as opposed to a light*) would work to bring in more moths. Has anyone ever tried that?
*The garden is >200 ft. from the nearest electrical outlet, but if a light would work as well, I could very easily attach a clip type LED flashlight to the wire fencing / a plant support. I have plenty of rechargeable batteries and some AA flashlights of this type that will easily run overnight. I’d just have to remember them in the morning, as totally exhausting rechargeable batts is very hard on them. Which of my clip-flashlights has the most purplish light (UV content)? Hmmm...
The moths might just cluster around whatever attractant is used, tho’ my experience with non-bug-light porch lights left on is that one gets moths all over the porch. :-)
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My concern about damaging the growing tips as a “stimulant” for flower production was partially because there are several buds clustered at each tip. I wasn’t sure if any of these are flower buds not distinguishable as such until the tip grows out further (in which case I might be damaging most of my new flower buds), or if the flower buds spring up after the growing tip has ventured further. I think the latter may be the case.
Do anyone know of anyone who has ever tried deliberately damaging the tendrils as a stimulant? There sure are plenty of extras.
I’ve been away a day and a half - will go back out to check in a bit and see how things are going. (There are a couple fires to put out 1st, figuratively speaking.)
Noted on the male & female flower positioning - makes sense.
Since there seemed to be plenty of male flowers when I left, If it seems necessary, I might try using a male flower as a pollen brush. It appears I’ll have to do it at night or get up & go out to the garden with the sun(rise). Boots at the ready, as I’ll be swimming through the dew. :-)
Thanks for all the info.!
I forgot to add, if anyone is interested in a good article with many details about Opo squash (although it doesn’t mention the moths!):
It’s possible that bruising some of the leaves might work. I haven’t found any research on bruising squash to stimulate flowering, so feel free to try different things and keep track of the results.