Courgettes - lots of male flowers, hardly any female

kimmee

Thanks for that link ausmummy - I didn't know the difference either and I've also only had male flowers but at least I now know what to look for.

Mutantk

floss2 wrote: »

Look inside the flowers - it's pretty obvious!

Sorry but not to me, that's why I and others asked!

jsh99

I've got the DigIn ones too and am quite impressed so far.

I kept two in big pots in the green house and I've been getting fruit from these for about a 3 weeks now. The three I planted outside (at the same time I potted up the inside ones and gave away about 5!) are just forming their first fruit - about 3" long at the moment.

We did dig a big hole for each one and put my home grown horse manure in the bottom, then soil on top and then the plants so I guess this warmed up the soil/fed the plants so should have helped.

The ones in the greenhouse had same manure in the bottom of the pots. I've also been watering these like mad!

JSH

DavidAC

How do you know when they have been pollinated? I have only had female flowers until today, but they are growing courgettes. I had one yesterday that was 20cm long! I have now cut it off and had some yesterday, very nice.

I have some leaves that died some time ago. Should I cut just the leaves off or the branches at the stem or leave them? There are plenty more healthy leaves and more growing.

What happens to all the stubs that are left after cutting off the courgettes? Do they grow again?

SmallEnglish

This is a really interesting thread!

I have two courgette plants that are doing well so far - they have quite a few buds, some of them have flowered already and I have got three little courgettes growing.

But I'm pretty sure that the only flowers I've had are the female ones, judging by the photo in that link. So I'm really confused as to how they got pollinated if I don't (think) I have male flowers???!?

icecreamdogpark

SmallEnglish wrote: »

This is a really interesting thread!

I have two courgette plants that are doing well so far - they have quite a few buds, some of them have flowered already and I have got three little courgettes growing.

But I'm pretty sure that the only flowers I've had are the female ones, judging by the photo in that link. So I'm really confused as to how they got pollinated if I don't (think) I have male flowers???!?

They get pollinated by bees that have visited courgettes of the opposite sex i think ? Probably in someones garden /allotment:)

icecreamdogpark

Also wanted to say mine seemed slow to start flowers opening and closing not much growing then bang i`ve had 3 lovely courgettes and the plant is brusting new ickle courgettes everywhere !!! May have to look for a thread titled "101 ways to cook courgettes" :j:rotfl:

ukbill69

Mine are growing, Ill add some more pics to my thread on updates tomorrow for all to see.

katholicos

icecreamdogpark wrote: »

Also wanted to say mine seemed slow to start flowers opening and closing not much growing then bang i`ve had 3 lovely courgettes and the plant is brusting new ickle courgettes everywhere !!! May have to look for a thread titled "101 ways to cook courgettes" :j:rotfl:

Courgette chutney is rather nice :-)

starstella

Well I am more confused than ever.Mine have big flowers which opened this morning.I thought the courgette was what the flower had come from????Now I am thinking it is like a tomato and grows from the flower??I haven't got a clue as this is the first time I have grown them.Also I am sure I read the flower was edible.Is this correct and how would you eat it?Sorry I am being thick,I would really appreciate an answer:)


I have just been out to check them.I have all female flowers.So,is the "stem" of the flower the courgette?It seems like it is to me but as I said I haven't grown them before.Now I am going to look for recipes:)