cucumber flowers

[leila60]

Could anyone please tell me if I should take the male flower heads off my cucumber plants, as I have many more of them than female. I dont know if they are needed to pollenate the female flowers, if they dont I feel they are just taking goodness from the plant. thanks leila

[Hawkwalk]

leave then on as they will be required for pollination. They wont take away much energy as they wont grow any more or do anything other than drop off when their job is done. Which variety do you have?

[leila60]

Many thanks does this also apply to courgettes ?

[Hawkwalk]

yes, same goes for them too.

[modeller]

I don't know if this is still true as I haven't grown cucumbers for years , however it used to be the case Never pollinate the female flowers as it makes the cucumber bitter..
That was the reason they developed cucumbers that only had female flowers.

If you wanted the seeds then of course the flowers would have to be pollinated but not for eating.

[modeller]

Further to my answer I have just been reading July 10 issue of Amateur Gardening and it confirms what I said . You should pick off all male flowers to avoid bitterness.
It also said most modern varieties are self fertile and only produce female flowers.