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Is it possible that I have female flowers only?
Cucumber None Given
I was reading this thread https://www.plantvillage.com/posts/90... regarding healthy cucumber plants with lots of flowers but no cucumbers. The reply was that plants produce male flowers first, then female flowers - with a picture to show both. And once the female flowers show up, pollination etc. begins. Well it seems my plants only have female flowers.
I am trying organic seeds this year and the plants are large and healthy and covered in flowers - all seemingly female. Is this possible? What am I to do to get cucumbers?
the variety is from Seeds of Change, called "Marketmore" cucumber, certified organic. I emptied the rest of the pack and they were all the same colour.
I am trying organic seeds this year and the plants are large and healthy and covered in flowers - all seemingly female. Is this possible? What am I to do to get cucumbers?
the variety is from Seeds of Change, called "Marketmore" cucumber, certified organic. I emptied the rest of the pack and they were all the same colour.
Posted by: Dianne
(1 point)
Posted: August 6, 2013
Answers
It is possible to get female-only flowers, especially if you have a gynecious (female only) variety. These varieties are popular because they yield large numbers of fruit. The seed packet usually includes a small percentage of a second type of cucumber seed (sometimes dyed another color) that will act as a pollinator. There are also parthenocarpic varieties (don't need pollination) that are gynceious, such as 'Diva' from Johnny's Selected Seed.
This response was added after photos were posted. The variety Marketmore should produce both male and female flowers. The two photos show male flowers only. Female flowers have a small but noticeable cucumber at the base of the flower. If you type 'cucumber flower' into Google and search images, there should be plenty of examples. Some time has elapsed since the original post and hopefully by now you are harvesting plenty of cukes.
This response was added after photos were posted. The variety Marketmore should produce both male and female flowers. The two photos show male flowers only. Female flowers have a small but noticeable cucumber at the base of the flower. If you type 'cucumber flower' into Google and search images, there should be plenty of examples. Some time has elapsed since the original post and hopefully by now you are harvesting plenty of cukes.
Posted by: Charlie B.
(2 points)
Posted: August 6, 2013
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