I remove the male flowers (only the male) from my cucumber plants - that is the flowers without a mini cucumber behind it. I have successfully done this for the past few years. However I am sure that the bees like all the flowers, but I find it helps to concentrate the energy into producing cucumbers.
The big open flowers are female, if a flower opens small and weedy looking it's male cut it off. Most f1 plants have no male flowers but not all. Wait till you are sure before cutting.Hope this helps.
The big open flowers are female, if a flower opens small and weedy looking it's male cut it off. Most f1 plants have no male flowers but not all. Wait till you are sure before cutting.Hope this helps.
Thanks, that helps a great deal! It seems that they're female flowers only for the time-being - there are around 4-5 coming through, with more on the way it seems. Hoping for a good crop!
Must post your first harvest here. It's so enjoyable to see everyone's hard work rewarded. I feel a bit of a cheat this year as went on holiday in May so no seeds all bought plants ( except for French beans) . But they are catching up with 4 foot Tom's and 6 foot cucumbers so not so bad. My cucumbers are not far off ready and am starting to pick courgettes.
Wow that's great going! Good luck with it all. My plum tomatoes are just starting to turn now with plenty more on the way.
Back to the cucumbers though and they seem to be doing well. Lots of upward growth - a couple I've supported with canes and others I've just left trailing. Even the plants in the second picture that are being grown in growbags are developing flowers now.
Any further tips? They're taking a little while to get growung the fruit. I've been feeding them with tomato feed every few days. Thoughts or am I doing fine?
Also I should say I got the variety completely wrong before, they're not F1 but actually Marketmore 76.
They look healthy ,but like me you are short on space. So train some up the canes and let others creep and hopefully you will be asking for my cucumber soup recipe. 😁
Just thought I would pass on my favourite cucumber. It's Pepinex F1. I have grown most of the usuals like telegraph etc, but Pepinex is the best for flavour, it gives of a lovely aroma has a sweet taste, flowers early, crops well and produces good sized fruit. Getting seeds can be a challenge but they are available. It has an RHS reward.
Good idea purplerallim - I was wondering about just letting them trail but I think they're really going for it now and could do with some separation. I'm not exactly short of canes after a big crop of tomatoes and green beans in previous years either haha.
Thanks ZeroZero, I will keep Pepiniex F1 in mind for next year! I see what you mean about getting hold of the seeds - nothing came up about Wilko or any other high street shops in my search.
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It seems to be growing small cucumbers...? haha
It seems that they're female flowers only for the time-being - there are around 4-5 coming through, with more on the way it seems. Hoping for a good crop!
Back to the cucumbers though and they seem to be doing well. Lots of upward growth - a couple I've supported with canes and others I've just left trailing. Even the plants in the second picture that are being grown in growbags are developing flowers now.
Any further tips? They're taking a little while to get growung the fruit. I've been feeding them with tomato feed every few days. Thoughts or am I doing fine?
Also I should say I got the variety completely wrong before, they're not F1 but actually Marketmore 76.
If you try this one, you will never go back IMO
Thanks ZeroZero, I will keep Pepiniex F1 in mind for next year! I see what you mean about getting hold of the seeds - nothing came up about Wilko or any other high street shops in my search.