Squash update:
So after pollinating some of the squash and zukes, I started getting a few here and there. What really helped was clearing out one plant. This opened up the other plants and allowed the bees to get in.
Two things that I did and suggest to other:
1. If the female
flowers are already closed, you can open them by creating a slit down the side of the closed
flower and pollinate them with a male
flower. Remember males have NO fruit below the
flower, females will have a 1-2 inch long fruit on it.
2. If you determine that it is a pollination issue, you can open up the plants by pushing the leaves back to attract the bees.
I was told by a friend of mine that is a beekeeper and he said that when bees see
flowers they see a sort of arrow pointing to the pollen and if they dont see the
flowers then they don't see the pollen, so open up the plants.
One last thing, forget about the paint brush technique, just cut the stem of the male
flower 4-5 inches below the bud. Peel off the petal so all you have is the male part, and rub it all around the female
flower. You should be able to pollinate 2-3 females from one male.
(I know it sounds perverted but this is how it works when there are no bees.)
It helps to dress like a bee and buzz around when doing this....okay not really....but you may get a good laugh from your neighbors.
Happy squashing. :)