I seems that more than my squash is effected by the lack of pollination. My zuchini is now shriveling up and falling off after 3 to 4 inches.

So my question to this forum. I cannot get out early in the morning to hand pollinate so when I got home from work I cut two male flowers pulled of the petals and then pulled open a female flower and ran the male all around it.

Will this still work or does the female flower need to be opened?

Thanks
Tom