Cucumber Problems

Hasselback 6/2/2012, 9:10 pm

Hey all.

I've begun to get small cucumbers on my plants (they're about 18 inches or so tall), but they seem to be turning brown and dying off when they're about an inch long. Any ideas as to why they'd do this?

G.

**camprn** 6/2/2012, 9:20 pm

My guess, probably no pollination... are you seeing bees, or other pollinators? if not, get the paint brush out.

yolos 6/2/2012, 9:27 pm

I have a related question. My cucumbers (4 varieties) are growing up a trellis. They are about 3 to 4 feet tall. Only one variety has any cucumbers. The other three varieties have no female flowers. What gives.

Nonna.PapaVino 6/2/2012, 9:37 pm

yolos, my guess is you cucumbers need more time. Most cucumber, squash, melon plants put out male flowers first, then they begin to produce female flowers. By that time, insect pollinators have become used to visiting the plants, and show up eagerly to harvest nectar and pollen, and to pollenate the female flowers. If your plants have adequate heat, sun, nutrients and water, you've "made it, and they will come." Keep us informed. Nonna

Hasselback 6/2/2012, 11:31 pm

OK. I got out there and tried some assisted-pollination. Now I'll know if I got it right if the tiny cucumber keeps growing, right?

G.

Nonna.PapaVino 6/3/2012, 11:55 am

The male and female flowers are enough different that you can easily tell which is which: male with column of pollin in center, female with a swelling at base of flower which becomes the fruit. We're always excited to see the first flush of squash flowers because they can be harvested in early morning, pollin column removed, filled with a stuffing and baked for dinner treat. When female flowers show up, we stop harvesting until all the plants are full of fruits.

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