Squashes/ Cucumbers/ Courgettes

[Svea]

hello all :)

my plants are coming along well and i have of course a few questions for you.

my cucumber has four tiny small embryonic cucumbers on them - three with flowers on the end/about to flower, and one just embryonic, but with no sign of a flower about to emerge. what gives?

my courgettes are madly at it - in fact, there are lots of flowers but the plants havent grown all that much yet since i transplanted a couple of weeks ago.  also, all the flowers seem to be male atm. should i do anything with the plants?

finally, my first squash has started to flower (veg. spaghetti). again, there seem to be loads of flower buds. also, is there a distinction between male and female flowers on a squash? anyways, there are so many buds i am beginning to wonder how this plant will sustain 'trying' to produce that many squashes...???

should i just let them get on with it and not look for a while?

cheers
svea :)

[Svea]

[Doris_Pinks]

Svea, I would do the "not look for a while" bit!  It hasn't been a particularly warm start to their season, I am sure a few weeks of warmth and everything will be romping away. (Please!!)

With squash it is the same as courgettes, you will see a fruit forming on the females.  Mine are all showing distinct male tendencies, but I find that happens most years until the plant has grown up a bit!

Just you see, you will have more fruit than you will know what to do with soon!  ;D

[terrace max]

I planted my S/C/C in tyres full of compost this year. Too soon to tell if they're going to flourish...

[Svea]

thanks doris :)

i just checked again yesterday and one of the p[umpkins is showing a female bud in developement. so not too long now ;D

i am very chuffed to see another cucumber in flower - i think the tasty burpless is an all female variety so they are all producing 'proper' flowers ;)

svea

[Amazin]

In previous years all my c/cs' first few flowers have been male. This year my plants are only about 18" high so far, but each has produced three or four flowers in the last week - and they're all female (unless they're obese males, of course!)

[Svea]

i know that mine is an all female variety (F1 hybrid) so there shouldnt be any males flowers anyways.
are you growing the same variety as before, or a different one?

[RobinOfTheHood]

In previous years all my c/cs' first few flowers have been male. This year my plants are only about 18" high so far, but each has produced three or four flowers in the last week - and they're all female (unless they're obese males, of course!)

So are females generally fatter than males, then?   ;)

[Debs]

Have planted some butternut squash seeds and pumpkin seeds into my well rotted manure heap (planted today)

Question is... is this too late??

Debs

[westsussexlottie]

No - if we have a warm september you will be fine!

[aquilegia]

ooh oh - goody. Thanks for asking that Deb. I thought it was too late, but now I will sow some more.

The first lot of courgettes all got eaten by snails. More vaseline this time!

[Mrs Ava]

Phew!  Number one son wants to grow a pumpkin and daughter wants her own cucumber plant!  Know what I will be doing after the school run! ;D ;D ;D

[Svea]

OMG! my cucumbers are really going for it! what was barely an inch two days ago is now approaching 3 inches! luck will have it that the first cuc will be ripe when we are away on holiday :(

[westsussexlottie]

This heat should really get them going and water them well. With squashes if you sow them too early in cold soil later sowings will catch up and probably be more productive.
Early sowings of summer squash bear more "male" flowers (not sure about pumpkins).

[Debs]

Thanks for that everyone!!

I intend on spending the best part of tomorrow in the lottie to do some

much needed catching- up

Debs ;D

[fbgrifter]

Are ridge cucumbers as easy to grow as pumpkins and squashes?  maybe one for next year!

[Robert_Brenchley]

They're really easy if the slugs don't get them.

[RobinOfTheHood]

Robert, have you ever grown Tasteless Burpy Green? and if so are they best in or out? Greenhouse, that is... ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Not that particular variety. I can't find it on a quick web search so I can't help you there.

[Doris_Pinks]

Robin, thought they were outside types, that is where my one plant is! (had 4 but they did't do well against Slugzilla!)

[Piglottie]

Have just planted my first ever crops  ;D in our new lottie - butternut squash, courgettes and cucumber.  Am now dreading going to the lottie this afternoon in case an attack of the slugs has taken place  :(