The courgette fruit (in fact any fruit) only grows when the seeds inside have been fertilized (pollinated.) If that doesn't happen, the fruit shrivels and drops off so the plant can save it's energy to form seeds in the next female flower. From a plant's point of view (if there was such a thing!) it's only aim is to reproduce itself and that means producing fertile seeds.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Gardening archaeologist, thanks, good to know male flowers might come too!
I don't know the variety- they were young plants bought from a Wyevale garden centre and it just says 'courgette' on the label. Next time I am in there I might see if anyone knows though.
I'm growing 'soliel' which I don't think is a self fertile variety...however you can get hermaphrodite flowers on plants like courgettes which might be what is going on!
I think my variety must be a self fertilizing variety, only because one of the courgettes seems to be growing larger without any help!
But I am thinking that I might just get a summer of slightly smaller courgettes but that's fine for us, we have mixed luck with courgettes year on year and this year they are doing fine in their unorthodox way, just like us! X
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The courgette fruit (in fact any fruit) only grows when the seeds inside have been fertilized (pollinated.) If that doesn't happen, the fruit shrivels and drops off so the plant can save it's energy to form seeds in the next female flower. From a plant's point of view (if there was such a thing!) it's only aim is to reproduce itself and that means producing fertile seeds.
Ah! Its the seeds INSIDE the fruit that need to be fertilised - makes sense now!
Thanks
Gardening archaeologist, thanks, good to know male flowers might come too!
I don't know the variety- they were young plants bought from a Wyevale garden centre and it just says 'courgette' on the label. Next time I am in there I might see if anyone knows though.
There are apparently some 'self-fertile' varieties of courgette - I've not grown them myself, but googling reveals several examples.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm saying nothing about my strange male parts...
I'm growing 'soliel' which I don't think is a self fertile variety...however you can get hermaphrodite flowers on plants like courgettes which might be what is going on!
Ah, interesting, thanks!
I shall be out every morning giving the flowers further examination!
I feel sorry for the bees, they keep going over there and coming away with no joy...
Please also notice that I have decided to post no pics!
Not after the last time!
I think my variety must be a self fertilizing variety, only because one of the courgettes seems to be growing larger without any help!
But I am thinking that I might just get a summer of slightly smaller courgettes but that's fine for us, we have mixed luck with courgettes year on year and this year they are doing fine in their unorthodox way, just like us! X