Snowy Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 My courgettes are doing quite well, I've had some nice fruits of them so far. But some of the flowers don't have a courgette under them, they are on long stalks. And I seem to be getting more of these long stemmed flowers now, rather than courgetty flowers. Why the difference? And should I leave them or snip them off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 They're the male flowers Snowy - don't snip them off, you need both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 I was wondering exactly the same thing Hon.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 crossed posting Clare! - see above...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Thanks Lesley - I'd meant to ask Dilly ro you, but kept forgetting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 Thanks Lesley! I did wonder if they were male and female flowers. Pity I can't get rid though, they seem to be taking over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 actually, you want more male than females it gives the female flower a greater chance of complete pollination otherwise you those funny shaped courgettes where they start off okay but then shrivel at one end (cos the bee didn't pollinate enough of the wotsit). the flowers are pretty and a mediterranian delicacy in their own right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 Thank you Tara! I did have one of those lop sided ones, tasted ok though! I did wonder why it was like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I am just jealous. I grew 12 courgettes from seed. Not a single one has survived the depradations of the local slug population. Next year I'm buying nematodes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 Olly you really need to reeducate your chooks about the delights of molluscs! I still get a little bit of slug damage on the veg bed as the chooks can't get to that, but I hardly ever see a slug or snail now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I've got slugs again now that AMO's big girls have gone back they loved slugs and snails, mine won't even entertain the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I bought a couple of Slug X's yesterday. Baited them with Tesco's best Value Bitter and caught about 30 last night. Only £4.99 each at Lakeland. I've seen them for as much as £8.99 elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Thanks for the tip Egluntine. I might get one next time I'm in Stratford, I don't have any alcohol in the house though might have to nab some of Phil's beer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
