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corgette
Sunnygardner
Posts: 54
in Fruit & veg
do I remove the female flowers or not?
0
Sunnygardner
Posts: 54
Posts
No, the female flowers will become the fruits.
I didn't remove any of the flowers on mine last year (first time grower) will be interested to see what the experts say about removing male flowers, I've seen it mentioned a couple of times. I don't know what the purpose is. ???
Found this online:
"The answer is to eat the male flowers (dip in batter and deep fry) until the female ones appear. If the weather is cool, hand pollinate. Remove the petals around the male flower to expose the anther, then dab on to the female: one male will pollinate several female flowers."
My gran used to grow these in Italy, and I remember being a kid on holiday there, and her saying they only ate the male flowers!
This is assuming you want to try them - they are delicious
Last edited: 03 May 2017 09:20:43
If you remove the female flowers how are you going to get courgettes? Many male flowers will grow before the females get into their stride. Patience is often required. You will not get any fruits unless the female flowers are fertilized; they will remain underdeveloped until they rot and fall off.
Op's I made a mistake I heard somewhere that male flowers should be removed or fruits would be bitter or am i muddled with cucumber ?. I will pollinate with a brush as with chilli's which I have had success with in the past if this is ok for cougettes in my porch.
many thanks all a few courgettes are now appearing.So all is well.