[Subversive_plot]

I'm growing zucchini and yellow squash in big nursery pots.

They are fairly small still, but already making some buds (a lot of them), which of course are initially all male.  Female flowers come later.

Rather than let those early buds bloom, I have been pinching them off. Flower production takes a lot of energy, I am reasoning that energy can be saved if I don't let those early buds develop.  Except for one plant, they seem to be growing well / rapidly increasing in plant and leaf size.

Opinions please: should I continue pinching the early bud off until the plants are bigger?  Have any of you ever done this before?

Thank you!

[Hampshire Hog]

I’ve never bothered to remove the flowers I just let them get on with it.
Indeed I normally find that the plants create loads of fruits no matter what I do.

[Plot 1 Problems]

I'd agree, they are so prolific it's not like they need much help. Plus those early flowers will be helping out and attracting bees and other polinators.

[Subversive_plot]

Thanks for the replies.

Since my post, I've found information supporting both sides to the question.  Many say as you have advised, leaving them on is no problem.  But, I have also found some describing my exact problem; plants started indoors, staying too long in a too small pot, going to bud too soon as a result (clipping the male buds gets the plants devoting energy to leaf formation).

I might try 2 plants that are similar, continue clipping buds on one, doing nothing to the other, see what happens over a few weeks.

In any case, the plants are growing a lot compared to when they first moved permanently outdoors.

[Rob the rake]

Gourmands would insist that you pinch them off and deep fry them in batter! One wonders whether male or female flowers taste best...