Cucumbers

[cwmmawr]

Hi all

I have a couple of cucumber plants in the greenhouse

I can't recall the variety but the packet said it was indoor or outdoor but the packet also said not to remove the male flowers

Would that be right for my greenhouse cucumbers

I have always removed the male flowers

Thanks in sdvance

[Workslave]

As I understand it some of the older heirloom cucumbers need to be pollinated to produce fruit
the modern ones are all female (perfect flowers?) and dont need the males.
I have had fruits that were normal thickness then half way along go really thin and was told this was because they were not fully pollinated, so only part of the fruit was "built"
Im sure somebody will come along and explain this better than I can.
Sincerely
Steve

[nickdub]

the answer from WS above is about right - as an extra guide if you paid about £2 for your seeds and got less than 10 in the packet, they are a most likely a modern sort and don't need the male flowers - OTH more seeds at a lower price, I'd say you do need to leave the male flowers on for pollination.

[cwmmawr]

Thanks Steve and Nick

I think I will keep them on they were a cheap pack from wilko if I recall

Cheers

[It never rains..it pours]

I have just worked out the Beth alpha I have in the greenhouse need hand pollinating to get a good crop, the Carmen are producing lots cucumbers on thier own. Very impressed with the Beth alpha taste, not tried a Carmen yet.