Allotments 4 All

How do you tell the difference between male and femal flowers on
Courgettes and plants of the same family? I know it might seem a daft
question, but i've seen a few comments from people about this and
now im confused!  Anyone got any pics they can post to show what
the differences are?

Thanks for your time!

Andy   ;)

I think that on courgettes the female flower has a mini courgette behind it, not a 100% sure that this is right but I'm think that's what I read in a post on here yesterday and that's what the single flower on my plants looks like and it definitely can't have been polinated yet as it was the first flower.

On my plants that I bought earlier in the year (they were devastated by RSM), they didn't have that so i guess they must have all been males.

If you look, you will know.

one has a thin stalk and one has a definate courgette shapped stalk.

I didn't know last year either.

L.

Pictures to help.There are pictures of male and female cucumber flowers if you search on the website.
[img][http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f148/deboydoyd/courgette.jpg/img]

Sorry didn't post picture first time!!Male on left

Ahhhhh, got you now. Thanks for your help!

Andy   ;)

It's the same for suash and melon flowers too.  The female flower has a minature fruit just behind it.  Also I've found that the first flowers I get are always male, the female flowers come a little later. I guess this is perhaps why people get confused the first time, because all the first flowers will look the same as they'll all be male flowers!

Quote from: sweet-pea on July 07, 2006, 10:34:36
Also I've found that the first flowers I get are always male, the female flowers come a little later. I guess this is perhaps why people get confused the first time, because all the first flowers will look the same as they'll all be male flowers!

Odd that  ??? - my squash and courgette plants always start off with female flowers only ;D. In fact, I'm still hand-pollinating several females from one male flower most days ;).

Tricia

Quote from: sweet-pea on July 07, 2006, 10:34:36
It's the same for suash and melon flowers too.  The female flower has a minature fruit just behind it.  Also I've found that the first flowers I get are always male, the female flowers come a little later. I guess this is perhaps why people get confused the first time, because all the first flowers will look the same as they'll all be male flowers!

typical me, all my flowers are laydees - still not a chappie in sight.  the trouble is that the flowers have only stayed open a very short while before closing again into a tight knot.  even if i did have male flowers, i think the bees would have to be really quick to do their job ! 

i go out each morning armed and prepared with a cotton bud ready to help the chaps but so far have failed miserably in my task.

i'm also armed with a knife so if i see my precious fruit start rotting, i can whip them off in a slice !  i've a couple about 3" long so we're not far off !

;D

You'd be handy in a Synagogue KP?

roflmao there's a few i'd like to practice on  ;D

Blimey   :o

;D