Confused about Courgette Flowers

[cilla]

I feel a bit silly but I have seen mentioned about the male and female flower.

Question 1 - How do you tell the difference?
Question 2 - saw mentioned you cut the male flower, true or not?
Question 3 - Do you have to pollinate between the two or does the plant do that them selves?

Thanks from a novice.

[veggiechicken]

Sit down, Cilla, we need to have a little talk
Second thoughts - I'm too embarrassed so you can look at some photos.
https://completegarden.wordpress.com...emale-flowers/

[muddled]

okidoke....
You can tell male from female very easily, female is on the end of a baby courgette. Male is not. If you are looking at your plant and think you cannot see a difference.....all your flowers are male. When you have both male and female the difference will be clear to see. I promise.
It is usual for all the flowers to be male at the beginning of the season.

Some types of indoor cucumber require removal of male flowers. Not courgettes.

Courgettes are, quite frankly, tarts .
They will cross pollinate like billy-o every chance they get with no help from you if outside. If in a greenhouse, when you get female flowers, open the door. Bees and hoverflies will find them and do it for you.
The only time you need to pollinate them yourself is for seedsaving and that's a whole other story

[cilla]

Thanks that helps. Glad we had that talk too! Thanks for the link.

[veggiechicken]

If you have too many male flowers, you can always stuff 'em
https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes...otta-and-herbs

[Lumpy]

Thanks for asking that Cilla - I did'nt know most of that either.