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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Chris Graham on July 27, 2006, 20:59:07

Title: Courgette question
Post by: Chris Graham on July 27, 2006, 20:59:07
I have three courgette plants in individual pots and another three on the plot, all growing really well. 

Each have about 2 courgettes growing but the flowers on the ends of them have not opened just withered away.  I thought you had to polinate these to get the fruit to grow but they seem to be growing really well.

Is this normal ?
Title: Re: Courgette question
Post by: philj on July 27, 2006, 21:04:38
Hi,

I had a similar problem last year, and the courgettes grew to about 3 or 4cm long then shrivelled up.  I assume it was lack of pollination.  This year I have loads of flowers and (fingers crossed) it looks like there will be a fair few courgettes.

Phil
Title: Re: Courgette question
Post by: Curryandchips on July 27, 2006, 21:07:27
In my limited experience, there is nothing to be concerned about ...
Title: Re: Courgette question
Post by: katynewbie on July 27, 2006, 21:17:14
 :-\

I have 3 courgette plants. One is the runt of the litter and is taking some time to catch up! The other two have been producing courgettes for the last week or so, both have dropped some flowers, but I still have a crop!

Conclusion? Don't think it matters

;)
Title: Re: Courgette question
Post by: calamityjayneuk on July 27, 2006, 21:51:53
Hi Chris

I am a newbie, and so not very experienced,  I planted too many courgettes last year. But basically once they were in the ground they needed no care at all. Except to keep picking the courgettes before they got too big!

I ended up with loads, the flowers seem to be more trumpet shaped and didn't open out completely and as you describe they did shrivel as the fruit starts to delvelop.
hope this helps

Jayne
Title: Re: Courgette question
Post by: Chris Graham on July 27, 2006, 22:38:31
Quote from: calamityjayneuk on July 27, 2006, 21:51:53
Hi Chris

I am a newbie, and so not very experienced,  I planted too many courgettes last year. But basically once they were in the ground they needed no care at all. Except to keep picking the courgettes before they got too big!

I ended up with loads, the flowers seem to be more trumpet shaped and didn't open out completely and as you describe they did shrivel as the fruit starts to delvelop.
hope this helps

Jayne


Yeh that seems to be exactly what is happening.

Thanks for the responce everyone.


btw i'm a newbie too.
Title: Re: Courgette question
Post by: saddad on July 28, 2006, 10:15:24
If the courgette grows rather than withers all that has happened is very rapid pollination.... can happen before you are really aware that the flower is open, esp on an allotment if you don't go every day!
:o
Title: Re: Courgette question
Post by: tim on July 28, 2006, 11:22:23
Indeed - the flower would have been there to produce the fruit.

But they normally last several days - even after picking - although they will be closed after doing their job!
Title: Re: Courgette question
Post by: Chris Graham on July 28, 2006, 12:44:11
noticed this morning that some of the flowers are now open, thats the male ones.

But the fruit is still growing well  :)