[davesellars]

Just put the courgettes out. Well, sort of as they are now temporarily in a large cloche).  They've been in the house next to an open but sunny window for the last 4 - 6 weeks and have grown significantly.  They all have alot of stems of which are bearing flower heads at the end.   Should i leave these or cut them off?   no sign of any courgettes growing on them yet so i assume they are just missing the polination process of which they'd normally get outside???

[JayG]

If you didn't harden them off before planting out I suggest you leave the cloche on for about a week, although the flowers probably won't get pollinated unless you do it manually.

If you did harden them off then you can leave them uncovered, but watch out for more gales and/or cold nights. No need to remove the flowers; they'll drop off whether they get pollinated or not.

[DD.]

If you can't see a small courgette behind the flower, they will be males.

It is quite usual for the males to appear first, the females usually exercise their prerogative to be late.

[arugula]

It is quite usual for the males to appear first, the females usually exercise their prerogative to be late.

I have no idea where men get this idea from.

[DD.]

Life experience.

[arugula]

Life experience.

Oh I see, that's unfortunate. I don't think you'll find many more punctual human beings than me.

 

[DD.]

Just found your halo on my keyboard.

[arugula]

Oh, is that where it went?

 

[Bing]

sounds like courgette vs marrow

[viettaclark]

And talking about that.....what IS the difference between them?
I threw in 5 free marrow seeds because my courgettes didn't germinate too well and they've all come up!
Can I treat them like courgettes? (No instructions....)

[DD.]

Marrows have tougher skins than the overgrown courgettes referred to as "marrows" and are therefore better storers.

You should get away with using them young before they get too 'ard.