skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Picking Female Zucchini Blossoms

13 years ago

I read a recipe for zucchini blossoms and I picked some female flowers from my zucchini plant without reading more...oops. Basically, I picked the female flowers from the ends of 2 inch baby zucchini hopefuls already starting to plump into their future form. Did I ruin their hopes of turning into adult zucchinis by removing the female flowers from the ends of them?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

sjkly
13 years ago
Unless the flower had already opened and been polinated then yes you did make it so they won't develop. Most people when picking female blossoms take the squash with them and eat the whole things.
It is okay though-you will have more zuchini-lots more.
spaghetina
13 years ago
Along the same lines, I'm wondering how long it takes for a female blossom to be pollinated before the plant receives that information, and the female blossom is no longer needed. I mean, does the plant know that the female has been pollinated the instant it happens? Is the trigger that stops the abortion of the baby squash, as would happen without pollination, on some kind of timer?

Anyone know?
Related Discussions
Female Zucchini flowers opened first
Q
Comments (10)
I just checked and today it's just the opposite. I have about a dozen male flowers open and only two female flowers open. I cut a male flower off and cut away the petal part and used it to pollenate the two females. You can see the orange colored pollen laying in the bottom of the male flower. I did this two days ago and see one zuke about six inches long has formed already. I see many ants inside the flowers, what are they after, the pollen or the nectar? I also saw one lone bee go inside one of the flowers but it apparently died right before my eyes as it just sat there immobilized. I saw a dead bee inside one of my asian pear flowers a month or so ago too. I wonder whats killing them. I don't use any pesticides so it isn't me.
...See More
Zucchini female/male cycle?
Q
Comments (2)
Well, I have two decently large sized waiting to be picked for dinner tonight. I haven't given them anything since I planted them. So I'm assuming a feeding and picking the two should help? I have Bonnie's herb and vegetable plant food. Think that should suffice? Or do you or anyone, recommend anything else? They are all in potting soil less soil and have been since early April. Lots of rain since then and plenty of drainage!
...See More
female zucchini flowers
Q
Comments (2)
Don't force it. Mother nature knows when the plant is ready. There is normally a flush of female blossoms and/or male blossoms that bloom without pollination occurring for the first 2-3 weeks when blooms start producing. It's entirely normal. Search the forum, there are many other threads on this topic.
...See More
lack of female flowers on zucchini plants
Q
Comments (4)
I have a vague memory that a couple of zucchini varieties have been bred to produce lots of male flowers to be sold for cooking. I don't recall them being touted as ONLY male flowers. Anyway, take your lemons and make lemonade. Eat the blossoms. http://therunawayspoon.com/blog/2011/07/squash-blossom-pesto/ http://www.seasonalchef.com/recipe0805b.htm http://www.thekitchn.com/five-ways-to-eat-squash-blosso-87564 http://www.strauscom.com/farmfresh/ffsblos.html Catherine
...See More
sjkly
13 years ago
When the flower opens (always in the morning) and the squash is pollinated you will see a large increase in size overnight. Usually that will mean a successful zuchini.

Even polinated squash can be aborted if conditions are bad enough.

Related Stories

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: The Tray's the Thing

Set out a party nosh or personal meal in style with a colorful, minimalist or playful serving tray

SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Summer Crops: How to Grow Cucumbers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pick a peck for pickles or opt for fewer and raw — no matter how you slice them, cucumbers are great for summer gardens small to large

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Summer Crop ...

Get an edible that’s long on flavor even if you’re short on space, with a long-time gardener’s favorite picks

URBAN GARDENS Harvest the Bounty of a Patio Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Make the most of small spaces on decks and balconies to enjoy your pick of vegetables, fruits and herbs

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Squash

By Marianne Lipanovich

Almost foolproof and with cheerful flowers, squash comes in a wide range of varieties to plant in spring

FARM YOUR YARD 6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

By Abundant City

It takes time and practice, but growing edibles in the suburbs or city is possible with smart prep and patience

GARDENING GUIDES 15 Favorites for Your Summer Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Get your summer garden off to a good start with these popular fruits and vegetables

GARDENING GUIDES Plant Black Cherry Trees for the Birds and Bees

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant Prunus serotina in the Central and Eastern U.S. for spring flowers, interesting bark and beautiful fall color

Great Design Plant: Sanguinaria Canadensis Lights the Spring Woodland

By Pollination Press LLC

Bloodroot’s large, showy white flowers and attractive foliage brighten eastern woodland gardens in early spring

TASTEMAKERS Catching Up With the Queen of Shabby Chic

By Laura Gaskill

Rachel Ashwell defined a style embraced by countless fans over the past 25 years. Find out what she’s turning her sights to now

Sponsored

Everingham Design

Columbus' Home Design Experts Specializing in Custom Cabinets

More Discussions

Veggie Tales - April 2024

55

Potato mold, disease or fungus?

15

3

What are easy-to-grow veggies for pots, and that won't need trellises?

4

Tiny long thin bugs at night eating leaves

8