0
points
My cucumber plants have significantly more female flowers than male flowers

Cucumber    None Given

I've been gardening for many years now and this is the first time this has happened. Generally, cucumber plants grow male flowers first then, female flowers appear days later. This year, my cucumber plants grew many more female flowers than male flowers. I would say that a ratio of 30:1, female to male flowers. Some vines produced only female flowers. I hand pollinate my cucumbers to ensure healthy yield but had difficulty finding male flowers. What happened and how do pollinate with no male flowers? Thank you for your assistance.


Posted by: Rocco Cundari (1 point) Rocco Cundari
Posted: September 17, 2016




Answers

0
points
Hi Rocco, It could be that previously you were planting monoecious cucumber varieties (which tend to be heritage seeds). These monoecious varieties produce many more males than females, and usually start production with male flowers as you mention. If you have recently tried a new variety, you may have acquired a gynoecious variety without knowing it. Many newer varieties are gynoecious. These are bred to produce many more females than males in an effort to increase productivity. If this is the case, what you purchased should have had both gynoecious (mainly female producing) seeds as well as a few monoecious seeds (higher male producers) that should have some sort of indicator (i.e. coloured seeds or something of that nature) to act as “pollinator” plants.


Posted by: Sarah McDonald (1 point) Sarah McDonald
Posted: July 11, 2019




You need to log in if you'd like to add an answer or comment.
Heart Heart icon