Topic: Courgettes

[meg_gordon]

Sorry if this has been asked before - but I am growing courgettes for the first time (in 15 inch pots).  All are producing lots of flowers - both male and female - and the courgettes are growing - but a couple at the bottom of the plant have started to rot at the flower end - is this because the little new courgettes are touching the wet soil?  The courgettes are now about 3" long.

Meg

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

the first ones often rot from the end. Maybe the early fruit doesn't set very well, or the plant isn't very vigorous yet. Just take those fruit off

[meg_gordon]

the first ones often rot from the end. Maybe the early fruit doesn't set very well, or the plant isn't very vigorous yet. Just take those fruit off

Thanks RT - that gives me peace of mind.  Would hate to have a disaster when everyone else has a glut:-) 

Meg

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

it probably helps also, once the fruit has started to develop, to remove the remains of the flower

[Digeroo]

If the bees and beetles etc are not doing their job it is easy to hand pollinate.  Either rub the centre of the male flower into the female, or get a small amount of pollen on the end of your finger and rub it on the centre of the female.