Cucumber advice please

[Penellype]

I have a cucumber problem.

Last year I grew Vega, a small fruited outdoor variety that forms male and female flowers and needs pollinating. It grew well outside and eventually produced plenty of fruit which I very much liked. I have room for 2 cucumbers which will be planted next to each other.

I had 2 seeds left and I sowed these a couple of weeks ago, but only 1 has germinated and I can't find the seed anywhere. T&M who supply it say it is Sold Out. I also can't find anything remotely similar that is not all female.

I'm growing Cucino for my friend's greenhouse and I have come home with a packet of Mini Munch, but both of these varieties say they are all female. They also both say they can be grown outdoors.

My questions are, if I grow Mini Munch next to Vega, are the Vega male flowers going to pollinate the Mini Munch and turn them bitter? If I grow them at the other end of the garden am I going to have the same problem? If I grow a cucumber near courgettes are the courgettes going to pollinate the cucumbers and turn them bitter?

I've never grown all female cucumbers before. Does anyone know the answers to my questions?

[Scarlet]

Growing them close together will cause bitter fruits on the mini munch I would chance it if you were growing one variety in a GH, but it's more than likely you will have problems growing them side by side.

Bitter cues really are disgusting!

Ive never had a problem with courgettes,so I think it's unlikely. Ive grown plenty of outdoor cues near my courgettes without problems but I dont know for sure.

[Penellype]

Thanks Scarlet - I thought that would be the answer. Will have to think again

[Containergardener]

Oooh I have 2 types , eeek.
How do I know what's female type only or whatever.
Veg is more complex , flowers are easier

[Penellype]

If you know which varieties they are you should be able to google it. If they are all female varieties the seed company will say so, otherwise they should say something like "do not remove male flowers".

Example Marketmore Buy Marketmore Cucumber Seeds | Growing Cucumbers Outdoors | Marshalls Seeds
PLANT OUT: June. Harden off young plants before planting out in sunny sheltered spot in fertile soil keep well watered. Do not remove male flowers. Feed regularly. Pinch out growing tip at six sets of leaves

Example Mini Munch Buy Cucumber Seeds - Mini Munch Online | Marshalls Seeds
All female variety although some male flowers may be produced which require removal.

[Containergardener]

I think mum has mini munch and el Greco courgette in her greenhouse, should they be apart I now wonder.
I'm doing diva cuc, was given 2 gergana? Cuc plants and am doing shooting star and black beauty courgettes.
I was doing them all together on my plan. Hmm diva may have to be outside when I find out what it is. OHs uncle did mention pollinating gergana (sp?)

[Jay22]

Never heard of this Company but...

Cucumber Vega F1

Edit to add:

Thompson and Morgan Cucumber - Vega F1 Hybrid - £3.99 | Garden4Less UK Shop

[vixylix]

oh no - now I'm worried too! I have 3 - esmerald and mohican, which say predominantly female and crystal lemon which says do not remove male flowers. The Mohican say that they do not turn bitter, but I don't know if its talking about size rather than pollination.

Will they be ok?

[Penellype]

Never heard of this Company but...

Cucumber Vega F1

Edit to add:

Thompson and Morgan Cucumber - Vega F1 Hybrid - £3.99 | Garden4Less UK Shop

Thanks, I might give them a ring rather than try ordering online, to check availability.

[Penellype]

I think mum has mini munch and el Greco courgette in her greenhouse, should they be apart I now wonder.
I'm doing diva cuc, was given 2 gergana? Cuc plants and am doing shooting star and black beauty courgettes.
I was doing them all together on my plan. Hmm diva may have to be outside when I find out what it is. OHs uncle did mention pollinating gergana (sp?)

I think you have the same problem as me here - La Diva is all female and Gergana is a "traditional" variety, so almost certainly needs pollinating.

[Penellype]

oh no - now I'm worried too! I have 3 - esmerald and mohican, which say predominantly female and crystal lemon which says do not remove male flowers. The Mohican say that they do not turn bitter, but I don't know if its talking about size rather than pollination.

Will they be ok?

I don't know I'm afraid - I've not grown these varieties.

[Containergardener]

OH bvgger we are all in a pickle (Hehehehe cuc pickle get it ).... Il get me coat