Muddypaws,

If you are trying to get pure seed, then you need to go out to the garden the afternoon (after 3 PM) or evening, before you want to do the hand pollination. Tape shut the flowers which will open the following day. Varieties differ as to what they look like the day before they open. But with a couple tries, you should get it figured out.

Then, do your hand pollinations before noon the next day, earlier is better. The pollen is ready for use by sunrise. When the day gets hot the pollen may become ineffective, or the female flower may lose its receptiveness.

As weirdtrev has already mentioned, the female flower may have been pollinated, albeit without protection. Time will tell.

George