Silks (IMAGE) Iowa State University Caption Often for self-pollination of doubled haploid plants, male and female flowering is not synchronized. When that happens, the tips of husks (around the future ear) need to be removed to allow pollination, even though the silks are not yet out. Credit Fred Engstrom Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.