[erainn]

Have a courgette in a large pot currently in flower, and would appreciate some advice, as I have never grown courgette before, concerning the fact some floweres are dropping off, leaving just a stem. Is this to be expected, or a result of too much/little water? Any help/solution most welcome. Erainn

[DD.]

If it's just a thin stem, these are the male flowers which would not produce fruit anyway.

[erainn]

Many thanks for your helpful information, I had no idea aboutthat, so much appreciated. It appears courgette flowers do not last too long, would that be a valid observation?

[JayG]

Yes!

(A few days, whether pollinating (male), pollinated (female), or unpollinated (female left at the altar!) 

[aelf]

sometimes the plant just puts out male flowers at first, but the female ones follow on behind soon enough, then it's courgettes for tea!  Keep the soil moist but not over wet and if the soil is poor, feed with something like tomorite once a week (I use liquid comphry or nettle tea myself)

wont be long now till you are harvesting 

[Elcie]

You are right, the flowers don't last long.  You can also eat them.  I am sure there was a recipe on here somewhere for battered courgette flowers!  I even think a restaurant owner posted on here at one point asking for them to buy!

[mollyblob]

Hope this isn't hijacking this question too much, but I was going to post a similar thing!  I have one fantastic courgette growing... it's about 3" long so I reckon it's pretty much ready to pick (I can't wait much longer!).  The flower appeared, was absolutely massive and bright yellow/orange, then after a day it had wilted.  Does the wilted flower mean I need to pick the courgette, or will it continue to grow even with a wilted, soggy flower on the end? 

[Ice]

It will continue to grow despite the flower loss, it's quite normal.

[mumofstig]

If the flower got pollinated (did you have male flowers open at the same time? ) it will continue to grow you can gently remove the petals if they are soggy to make sure they don't rot.
If it didn't get pollinated, then over the next few days it will wither and then die

[viettaclark]

I had one brief spell when I had male and female flowers out at the same time and it gave us 3 courgettes. Since then I've got all females or all males so roll on when they come together again!!! Then you can't stop them! (Naughty, naughty courgettes! )

[Ice]

I blame the birds and bees.

[erainn]

Thank you to all for your really helpful advice and kindness in reply, really appreciate the information. I await hotter conditions down here in Sussex before placing said potted courgette outside, a wise move?

[aelf]

mine have been outside since April and producing fruit for a couple of weeks now, and I'm 'oop north' 

[erainn]

Guess northern courgettes are a hardier variety

I am clearly new to the dark arts of courgette cultivation, better get my potted beauty outisde pronto, yet I read somewhere that they need a cloche and demand really hot weather. Is that so? Or can I simply leave outside??

[DD.]

Stick 'em outside.

A cloche will cook them!