Scared for my courguettes

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Vicym, May 27, 2021.

  1. Vicym

    Vicym Gardener

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    Sorry I didn't see this before I posted about my flowers below! Thank you so much for the info!
     
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    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      The plant usually produces a lot of male flowers so, if it does, you can remove some of them - and, maybe, just shake the flower over the females.
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I sometimes think it is better if the early ones dont set.
        It allows the plant to get bigger and stronger before forring fruit.
         
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        • Vicym

          Vicym Gardener

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          Update: I've taken 2 of my cauliflowers out and transplanted into pots, to allow them all more space! Might work, might not, thought it worth trying
           

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          • Vicym

            Vicym Gardener

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            Last weekend the first few flowers were vibrant. This week they've fallen off some of the bigger courguettes (I have 1 on each plant so far, the largest is the size of a large gherkin). Some of the male flowers have also turned a bit shrivelled. Is this normal? I've not harvested anything yet.
             
          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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            Male flowers do drop off. The female flowers drop off or rot as the courgette grows. Give them plenty of water. :blue thumb:
             
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            • Vicym

              Vicym Gardener

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              Thank you! Yes I'm watering every evening then once a week with some diluted plant food!
               
            • shiney

              shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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              Are you giving them lots of water. If they're in the sun in this weather a good litre or two for each of them in the evening.
               
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              • Vicym

                Vicym Gardener

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                I'm probably giving them half a litre at the base each night so I will increase that as of tomorrow!
                 
              • Vicym

                Vicym Gardener

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                Does anyone know what these markings are? I'm watering them a litre each a day, the fruits seem OK it's just the leaves?
                 

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              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                They are normal.
                 
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                • shiney

                  shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                  There are a number of possible reasons for it.

                  Some courgettes get white marbling naturally; No problem and no damage

                  It could be from getting water on the leaves and the sun scorching them; No problem and no damage

                  It could be from not enough water and then waterlogging from getting a lot of water with not enough drainage; no problem

                  It could be mildew although a bit early in the season for it; quite normal and doesn't affect the fruit

                  So, as @pete says, it's normal :)
                   
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                  • Vicym

                    Vicym Gardener

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                    Hi guys! Got my first glut of fruit this weekend!

                    I do have a few that have rotted, either on their end or completely - do you know why this happens? I'm cutting it away so it doesn't sully the plant.
                     

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                    • pete

                      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                      Usual reason for rotting is that they have not been pollenated.
                       
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                      • Vicym

                        Vicym Gardener

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                        Thank you.

                        They are totally swamped with leaves so I've cut a few off. Not many but just to give them chance to be pollinated!
                         
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