Hand Pollinating Courgettes

[Bigmallly]

I'm gonna try my hand for the 1st time at saving seeds for next year, I've read up on the principles but am I right in thinking that the female has a bulbous before pollination. I have checked all the females which have a bulbous part but their leaves are tight shut & have chosen, hand pollinated and marked one for saving. I was unsure if they had this swelling before they were pollinated. As always advice greatfully received.

[veggiechicken]

Lots of advice here BM How To Save Your Own Seed at Home
I think the male and female flowers underparts look different from the every first moment they are born!!

[vikkib]

What she said!

The females have the swelling before they are fertilised.

Hope the seed saving goes well - will be hoping for an update next spring! : )

[Bigmallly]

Brilliant, thanks a lot. It was the already swollen females that threw me out.

[Bigmallly]

Lots of advice here BM How To Save Your Own Seed at Home
I think the male and female flowers underparts look different from the every first moment they are born!!

Cheers VC, that's where I got the info from but was unsure if the females had already been pollinated and the flowers had closed themselves up.