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Vegetable Gardening

Zucchini or summer squash with mostly MALE flowers?

suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)

8 years ago

We love eating zucchini blossoms more than the actual fruit. I typically get plenty of fruit, but am always hoping for more male flowers. I'm on the lookout for whatever variety produces the most flowers. Beginning to look at 2016 seed catalogs to start in my greenhouse and want to order soon. Bonus points if I can grow it in my greenhouse in the winter!

Featured Answer

theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)

8 years ago

Going by past discussions, you can't predict the ratio of male to female flowers. The same variety planted in different years can act differently. Sometimes it's mostly male blossoms, sometimes it's mostly female, but usually it's a decent mix. If you keep the blossoms picked, both male and female, and don't let the plants produce fruit they will keep flowering.

And squash are not frost tolerant so unless you keep your greenhouse above 40*F it's not likely they'll survive during winter.

Rodney

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Comments (6)

LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
8 years ago
I have been growing a yellow straightneck called Multipik from Johnny's for several years. It always seems to have 4 or 5 large male blossoms for each female. Don't know about growing it in the greenhouse in the winter but maybe if it is heated as Rodney mentioned.

Multipik
suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore) thanked LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
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farmerdill
8 years ago
There is middle aged zucchini variety that was developed especially for blossoms. Butterblossom, I have not seen a vendor list it for several years tho. http://69.93.14.225/wscpr/LibraryDocs/SummerSquash.pdf
suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore) thanked farmerdill
suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)
Original Author
8 years ago
Our greenhouse is heated and attached to our home. I grow orchids, tomatoes, citrus and other tropicals in it during the colder months.

I'm certain there are some varieties that are known to produce more flowers, as I used to base my seed selection on it, but that was several years ago and before we had the greenhouse. Unfortunately, I don't remember which one it was and haven't found a similar description promoting male flower production.

I have tried pumpkin flowers, but I find their flavor far too floral for my savory applications.
rgreen48
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Costata Romanesco is known to produce fewer females and is a long-time favorite for male flower harvest.
suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore) thanked rgreen48
theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
http://www.growitalian.com/zucchino-da-fiore-edible-flower-146-57/

Was going through the Seeds From Italy catalog that I got in the mail today and came across this variety. Which then made me remember this thread. They also have a couple others meant for flower production.

Rodney

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