Male blooms grow on the main vines. When the main vine gets to about 10-12 feet in length, trim it. Females blooms will start to grow on the side shoots. The gourd plant has male and female blooms. Both are funnel in shape but the female has a small round bulb at the base of it's bloom.
Male blooms develop two weeks before the female.
The female blooms are open only a short time, about 24 hours. Be sure and hand pollinate when the female is fresh and new. The blooms open in the early morning, early evening or on overcast days. Gently rub the male bloom onto the female bloom. Transfer as much pollen as possible.