Single hen

[mad house]

I have grown some cucumber plants from seeds but have just read somewhere to watch out for male plants?

 

Can someone help me out here please

[Karen & co.]

I think it's the male flowers

 

they are the ones that don't have a tiny cucumber behind the petals, and you need to nip them off as soon as you notice them, I think it's because they affect the taste of the cucumbers,

 

I'm sure someone will be along soon with a better explanation

 

karen x

[Cinnamon]

Funny you should post this today.

My local garden centre had a special on the Q plants & they were listed as "all female"

 

I just assumed this meant they were better in every way

(but would love to know the difference too!)

[Martin B]

[Lesley]

Karen's right - it is the flowers. The female flowers have a very tiny swelling behind the petals which will grow into a fruit.

 

....... but, I don't know why you have to remove the male flowers

 

I've just bought one of the 'female only' plants - in case my seedlings don't do well.

[Cinnamon]

My Dad says that if you leave the male flowers on the Q's will be bitter

[Karen & co.]

My Dad says that if you leave the male flowers on the Q's will be bitter

 

That's it I knew somewhere in the dusty recesses of my brain it was something to do with taste Thanks for reminding me

 

karen x

[Puglet]

My Dad says that if you leave the male flowers on the Q's will be bitter

 

Yep, if the female flowers get fertilised it makes the fruit very bitter.

[mad house]

Thankyou everyone.

 

Now I can sleep at night

 

Thought I was begining to loose my mind (thats maybe gone already)

[Cinnamon]

Good Old Dad - amazing what the old'uns know,isn't it?

[TheGirlsMum]

Sorry but..... you need to check what variety they are as some need to have the male flowers left on. But I don't know which ones these are if you know the variety try google.

[Tara.F]

open pollinated, outdoor cucumbers usually do not require removal of male flowers.

fussy, indoor (greenhouse) cucumbers are often 'all female' plants and have no male flowers to remove.

 

if you have indoor, not 'all female' cucumbers you may have to remove the male but if so, it should say so clearly on the seed packet.

 

I've just read that back and it's probably as clear as mud

[mad house]

 

have found a couple of flowers with no q's behind them so have pulled them off.

They are in the greenhouse but not sure what type they are...oh well looks like we will have to wait and see