Allotments 4 All

Hi - I'm sure this is a really basic question, but for the past 2 years we have not done very well at all with cucumbers.  This year we are trying 2 female varieties in the greenhouse, but still want to try marketmore outside on the plot.  I've just been flicking through my vegetable book (as you do!) and read that for outdoor cucumbers polination is essential and male flowers must not be removed?  i had previously been told that I had to remove ALL the male flowers or the fruits would be bitter - is this where i've been going wrong? 

Basically for marketmore do the boys stay on or get off!!!!   HELP!!! :-\

Basically for marketmore do the boys stay on or get off!!!!   the boys stay on unless you just want nice vine in you garden. Since without the males you will get no pollination.

i had previously been told that I had to remove ALL the male flowers or the fruits would be bitter
that advice only holdsfor Armenian cucumbers. Not regular cucumbers. Since the two may be called cucumbers but they are not same thing.

As gridgardener says Leave em on.

http://www.beansandherbs.co.uk/tipsoutdoorcucs.htm

I didn't know about taking them off when I have grown them previously,
they tasted fine.

It's only the greenhouse cucs that need castrating. Leave the ridges alone.

No wonder we only ended up with 4 Cucs from 2 plants and as you say lots of lovely long vines!!!  Poor little things getting castrated for nothing! i feel quite guilty now!!  :o I will have another go this year then and hopefully fair much better  ;D