Male flowers outnumber female flowers. The plants are mostly receptive in the morning, primarily before 9 a.m. Seed number and fruit weight increase in proportion to the amount of pollen transferred. Population levels are variable, but when these occur in large numbers, supplemental pollination by honey bees can be reduced. Growers should make every effort to conserve these bees by establishing sanctuaries to conserve nesting sites and food sources. Caged honey bee studies indicate hermaphroditic flowers are not capable of self-pollination.
Flowers are receptive throughout the day.
Many flowers must receive more visits than necessary to ensure effective fruit set. One bee per 10 hermaphroditic flowers is a general rule of thumb. This is the bind both beekeeper and grower find themselves in when determining the scope of any pollination contract. When the facts are not fully known, the parties to the contract then must use what amount to best guesses. Of special significance is that both beekeeper and grower be intimately familiar with reproduction requirements for each crop.