Flowering begins with the opening of the lowest bud on the main stem and continues upward with three to five or more flowers opening per day. Flowering at the base of the first secondary branch begins two to three days after the first flower opens on the main stem. Under reasonable growing conditions, flowering of the main stem will continue from 14 to 21 days for both species. Full plant height is reached by peak flowering. Flowers begin opening early in the morning and, as the petals completely unfold, pollen is shed and dispersed by both wind and insects.
Flowers remain receptive to pollen for up to three days after opening.
If favorable warm, dry weather occurs, nearly all the pollen is shed the first day the flower opens. The flower partially closes in the evening and opens again the following morning. Fertilization occurs within 24 hours of pollination. After pollination and fertilization, the flower remains closed and the petals wilt and drop two to three days after the flower opened. The young pod becomes visible in the center of the flower a day after petals drop.