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Hand-Pollinating Cantaloupe for Better Fruit Set

If bees are scarce, hand-pollinate cantaloupes. Use a cotton swab or small brush to transfer pollen from male flowers (straight stem) to female flowers (tiny fruit at base) within 1 day of opening.

When to Intervene

No bees observed for several days.
Female flowers dropping without swelling.
Greenhouse or screened porch growing.

Morning is best—pollen is freshest.

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