cucumber pollination

[mr plasma]

I'm curious to know how a cucumber grows if the male flowers should be removed to prevent pollination. i thought for a fruit to grow pollination was required,does this apply to all cucumbers and if i remove all the male flowers on my cucumbers will they still grow PS i have forgotten the variety i have planted( a sin i know) :)

[mr plasma]

[tim]

http://vric.ucdavis.edu/veginfo/commodity/garden/crops/cucumber.pdf

Better him than me?

[saddad]

You don't have to, if you grow old open-pollinated varieties like Crystal Apple...
;D

[greatpalm]

Depends on whether your plant is an indoor or outdoor variety. Outdoor varieties need pollinating and therefore male flowers should be left on. However, those bred to be raised in a greenhouse must not be pollinated and therefore male flowers should be removed.

[mr plasma]

they are greenhouse plants,was wondering if similar types of plants IE melons courgettes etc should have male flowers removed

[greatpalm]

Melons and courgettes both need pollinating.

For best results I suggest you do this "by hand" - remove a male flower and push gently into a female one.