I'm only getting blossoms but no fruit - should I trim back?
General None Given
This year I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, cantaloupe, red bell peppers and strawberries. Only the tomatoes and bell peppers are producing. The others, I'm only getting blossoms. I planted just after Mothers Day here in Columbus, OH. I understand that there are male and female blossoms thx to this post: https://www.plantvillage.com/posts/90.... My question is, if let's say like the cucumber, cantaloupe and watermelon plant leaves expand out way more than I think they should, should they be trimmed back? I understand that they may be taking more nutrients than the actual fruit may need to grow? Many TIA.
Posted
by: Paul Jorgensen
(1 point)
Posted: July 18, 2013
Answers
You should be seeing the female blossoms unfolding soon, Paul. (The severe weather may have slowed this from happening.) Hopefully, you'll have a string of nice, sunny days, so the bees will fly. Most cucurbits (cukes and melons) require insect pollination.
I think it's way too early to trim back your vines, as long as you have enough space to let them ramble. You'll be cutting your potential yield significantly if you prune them now. I usually wait until late August or early September to pinch off the growing tips; this allows most of the fruit on the vines to mature before frost.
I think it's way too early to trim back your vines, as long as you have enough space to let them ramble. You'll be cutting your potential yield significantly if you prune them now. I usually wait until late August or early September to pinch off the growing tips; this allows most of the fruit on the vines to mature before frost.
Posted
by: Peg Boyles
(4 points)
Posted: July 18, 2013
Paul Jorgensen commented,
Thx Peg, good to hear! It's just a small garden I planted on the side of my deck which seems to get the most sun. We have received LOTS of rain and the garden has flourished. We'll wait on the trimming and I finally have seen some signs of bees and 'other pollinators', am hoping they do their job! :-) Thx again! about 11 years ago.
Thx Peg, good to hear! It's just a small garden I planted on the side of my deck which seems to get the most sun. We have received LOTS of rain and the garden has flourished. We'll wait on the trimming and I finally have seen some signs of bees and 'other pollinators', am hoping they do their job! :-) Thx again! about 11 years ago.
Cantaloupes especially, but probably the other melons and squash too: fruit production depends heavily on how much leaf area is available for photosynthesis from the sun. If you reduce the amount of leaf area, you reduce production. If you do feel the need to prune, just prune off the tips of the main vines to make them produce lateral (side) vines, don't start hacking off big leaves. And make sure the main vines are at at least 6-8 feet long before you do it.
The strawberries: if they are new plants, they probably won't produce fruit until next spring. It's just what they do. You can't rush Mother Nature!
The strawberries: if they are new plants, they probably won't produce fruit until next spring. It's just what they do. You can't rush Mother Nature!
Posted
by: FussyOldHen
(16 points)
Posted: July 24, 2013
Paul Jorgensen commented,
Thanks so much, I appreciate and will exercise all this input/help! :-) about 11 years ago.
Thanks so much, I appreciate and will exercise all this input/help! :-) about 11 years ago.
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