I removed most of the male flowers from my plants, just left one or two, I was advised that was the correct thing to do - have you had success with Marketmore?
I'm growing Delizia and Tasty King, had a couple of full sized cucumbers since mid July.
I lost some last year and had to re-sow some more seeds, so as a result was late planting them out. Didn't want to make the same mistake this year, so planted them out on 5th June surrounded by some fleece for a couple of weeks whilst we had some heavy rain and high winds. Plants looking great now.
Whilst we're on the subject, what causes the split stalks where the plants go into the ground? Is it where they've got wet? I hear they don't like 'wet necks'.
How do you tell the male flowers from the female flowers? I am growing a few, some of them have little fruits, but some don't. If I can tell the difference I could try picking off the male ones. Cheers all.
I have never seen split stems before Loz, I don't know what causes this but your plants do look healthy and hope that the stems don't cause a problem to the plants or the fruits. The male and female flowers look the same, but it is the female flower that bears the fruit - so if the flower has a tiny cucumber attached to it then leave it on the plant - Nanny Beach does not remove the male flowers, but I have done so (but it is only my first season of growing them) and she has more experience at this than I have. It was on this forum that I was advised to remove them...... your choice Mynx.
I don't have split stems on my cucumbers (which are in the greenhouse) but I have had similar with Cornichon grown outside. Seems to be a combination of extremes of watering and temp, drought and flood - which fits with this years crazy weather! Mine isn't that bad and since the plant is tied in and so supported I have left them but I believe you can bind them if it looks like the weight will bend them further. I used broad curling ribbon on my tomatoes (horizontal break, all my own fault) which worked well but I am very amateur and a bit Heath-Robinson so you might want to check that out.
As for removing flowers, I grew cucumber for the first time last year and made full use of the RHS lady at Hampton, she was very patient. I grow Marketmore and no flower removal is necessary but each variety has different requirements. The RHS site is a good place to go, I also check out the main seed supplier pages and then its down to trial and a lot of error on my own
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
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Our friends Burpless were slower to produce fruit than my Jogger, but he has picked a couple now, have you got any flowers Nanny B?
Yes, I have flowers, have also grown Marketmore, this year.
I removed most of the male flowers from my plants, just left one or two, I was advised that was the correct thing to do - have you had success with Marketmore?
Flowers no fruit as yet, I dont remove male flowers
I'm growing Delizia and Tasty King, had a couple of full sized cucumbers since mid July.
I lost some last year and had to re-sow some more seeds, so as a result was late planting them out. Didn't want to make the same mistake this year, so planted them out on 5th June surrounded by some fleece for a couple of weeks whilst we had some heavy rain and high winds. Plants looking great now.
Whilst we're on the subject, what causes the split stalks where the plants go into the ground? Is it where they've got wet? I hear they don't like 'wet necks'.
pics below, apologies for orientation issues!
How do you tell the male flowers from the female flowers? I am growing a few, some of them have little fruits, but some don't. If I can tell the difference I could try picking off the male ones. Cheers all.
I have never seen split stems before Loz, I don't know what causes this but your plants do look healthy and hope that the stems don't cause a problem to the plants or the fruits. The male and female flowers look the same, but it is the female flower that bears the fruit - so if the flower has a tiny cucumber attached to it then leave it on the plant - Nanny Beach does not remove the male flowers, but I have done so (but it is only my first season of growing them) and she has more experience at this than I have. It was on this forum that I was advised to remove them...... your choice Mynx.
I don't have split stems on my cucumbers (which are in the greenhouse) but I have had similar with Cornichon grown outside. Seems to be a combination of extremes of watering and temp, drought and flood - which fits with this years crazy weather! Mine isn't that bad and since the plant is tied in and so supported I have left them but I believe you can bind them if it looks like the weight will bend them further. I used broad curling ribbon on my tomatoes (horizontal break, all my own fault) which worked well but I am very amateur and a bit Heath-Robinson so you might want to check that out.
As for removing flowers, I grew cucumber for the first time last year and made full use of the RHS lady at Hampton, she was very patient. I grow Marketmore and no flower removal is necessary but each variety has different requirements. The RHS site is a good place to go, I also check out the main seed supplier pages and then its down to trial and a lot of error on my own