cucumber goof

[lottie lou]

Whoops I have goofed with my cukes.  I have been using a paintbrush to fertilize my crystal lemons.  Mind you the four I have had to date have tasted nice - well the people I gave them to said so.  So I definitely have to get rid of the bloke flowers then?  Any advice on how to get the ladies to get a wiggle on?  I have a number to small ones but they are certainly taking their time in getting ready.

[lottie lou]

[ed dibbles]

My understanding with this variety is that you leave male and female flowers on the plant to do their thing.

If you are to attempt hand pollination simply pluck an opened male flower and gently rub it's pollen into the centre of the female flower.

Shouldn't need extra help if the weather is dry and warm. Ants do quite a lot of pollinating in my polytunnel.

Just realized you didn't say you are growing them undercover. Outdoor cukes warm and dry is even more important I reckon.

[lottie lou]

Thanks Ed dibbles.  I should definitely not panic so fast.  Good job it was dark and I couldn't get up to the g/h to evict the males.  Did a bit of further reading and found out it was okay to leave the males be.

[pumkinlover]