Cucumber blooms? Odd problem...

12 years ago

I'm growing a regular cucumber plant (burpee pkg type) in a container as I normally container grow. I planted two seeds...only one took.

The vine seems fairly healthy - except I am ONLY getting female flowers.

I've heard of only Male blooms being a problem...but, never a female only problem.

My vine is still small...about 3-4 ft. long. Do you think it will grow some male flowers eventually?

Is there something I can do to hand pollinate in the meantime? Like, pollen from a tomato plant or jasmine or...plumeria???...LOLOL....I have no idea...my squash has no blossoms yet.

I'm watching all these gorgeous baby cukes shrivel up and die....it's killing me. :(

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Comments (6)

tomncath
12 years ago
You still going with me to Lori's next Saturday? If so I'll give you some parthenocarpic cuke seeds to try...Tina's going with me to Silvia's tomorrow, kinda late but if you'd like to go with us we'll be headed out around 0930. We can talk veggie talk then ;-)

Tom
SaintPFLA
Original Author
12 years ago
Hey Tom - checking in here late...thanks for the invite!

Even if I wasn't so late, I have funeral this weekend to attend (a friend's family member).

But - next weekend- I'm definitely on-board! :)

I did plant the Corentine Cukes seeds that you gave me -- they are doing pretty good- so far anyway!

I'm frustrated that my Burpee Cuke Hybrid II -- which is healthy as can be (a miracle in itself) is only producing females.

I read on the back of the seed pack that it includes "pollinators". I'm assuming that means I ended up with a "female only" seed? With it never produce male blooms?

Am I doomed?....
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I have the same type of leaves. I'm in zone 9 and we've had a lot of 100+ days. I think it's due to the hot dry weather that wilts the leaves in the day. The leaves bounce back but I can tell the wilting leaves the mottled effect. My cuke still has new growth and has put out a bunch of blooms and 2 cucumbers developed.
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I agree. Way too many plants in one smallish container. A 2.5' diameter pot should grow one tomato or one or two cucumber plants only. And probably way too much water as well, depending on the drainage properties of the medium. Do you have both male and female flowers? If you do and the fruit is aborting, you have a pollination problem. Yes, most likely due to the use of Sevin. No bees... no cucumbers. The foliage in the picture you posted looks like plants at the end of their life span, unfortunately. More likely that than a disease or bug problem.
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It sounds like it could be an inconsistent moisture levels. Cukes are so water dependent, so soil moisture level responsive. They will quickly swell during periods of heavy rain or over watering/overly wet soil - like if he had lots of rain just as they were forming - and then they shrink (even to the point of going hollow) if water availability falls off. It can result in some very strange appearing cukes. Dave
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loufloralcityz9
12 years ago
Check around any of the big box stores for any type of cucumber starter plants. Feed stores and Ace Hardware may also carry them. Most of those are male/female plants and will work for cross pollinators for your female plant.

Lou
SaintPFLA
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, Lou! I did just that yesterday and bought one that has 3 seedlings in it.I'm hoping it will grow quickly (I hope!). I lucked out as there were not many left.

I guess things are a bit more complicated when you small-space container garden. You can't just grow 'one seed' and expect results. Always learning something new....
tomncath
12 years ago
You have to watch out when it states "includes pollinators"; if you didn't plant one of the pollinator seeds you're doomed. I'd stick with the parthenocarpic's, then you won't have to worry about it. Mine are doing well predominantly in the shade, only a few hours of direct sunlight daily. I did get some more Cool Breeze seeds, they are finally available again. I bought two 1/4 oz packets and took one to Silvia's party yesterday so I still have plenty to share with you next weekend, but mine are inside the pool cage so you'll have to watch closely for pickleworm since its so hot and dry now.

Tom
SaintPFLA
Original Author
12 years ago
Yeah, it looks like my "Home Depot Special" that I bought on Saturday is already developing it's first bloom. I understand those are usually 'male' too. The timing couldn't be better.

This is the time of year I get really frustrated with my veggie garden...

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Cucumber blooms? Odd problem...

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