Novice courgette grower

[cotton54321]

I have 3 courgette plants all growing nicely and one has started to flower. I see that the courgette grows behind the flower - do I need to remove the flower or leave it? Sorry for the silly questions but knew you'd be the best people to ask!

Mel

[Alice]

Hello Cotton, when the courgettes get bigger the flower will start to wither (curl up) and the plant will probably drop the flower itself. If the flower doesn't fall off once it has curled up give it a gentle twist and remove it. If you leave them on they can rot the end of the fruit. Hope you get lovely courgettes.

[WiZeR]

should you feed courgettes? if so what with?

[Alice]

I feed them with tomorite Wizer.

[Lesley Jay]

Wizer we use Miracle Grow on the vegetables except for the tomatoes and they get a tomato feed.

[STEVE PARTRIDGE]

Hi Mel, you can leave the flowers on the Courgettes as the Courgettes grow so quickly they will not do any harm, however the flowers can be picked off and if you have enough of them they can be eaten as a starter or snack with some salad. What you do is dip them in a light batter and deepfry them for a few moments until golden brown and crispy, serve with a little salad and a Garlic mayonnaise dip, the same can be done with Nasturtion flowers. Regards Steve.

http://www.myallotments.blogspot.com

[rofey72]

Blackfly

Dear All

SOOO EXCITED!!!!

I see that my own OneBall courgettes are just beginning to develop nicely . :

This will be the very first thing that I have grown from seed ( toms were cuttings when bought ) Its amazing to see them change so much on a nearly daily basis .

Also what do I need to do if on my courgettes just after the flowers and fruit begin to develop I get an attack of blackfly ?? ( I presume ) Do I spray the whole plant or just the affected areas??

[dexterdoglancashire]

thank you!

I was given a courgette plant by one of my hubbys staff. Looked after it - planted it in the plot....thought I was doing well. The flower dropped off the other day - gosh shock horror! what had I done wrong? had I killed it off? mentioned this to hubby who reported back to the original owner, before I had chance to check up in my books! No probs! Was I a happy bunny or what! good to check out the advice given B4. dexterdog

[voodoo veg]

Never grown courgettes before and I have little "sticks" which I believe are the courgettes, they are light green and sort of hairy and have been like this for a few days. How long will it take them to get dark green and shiny like they are supposed to be????????? I am desperate for them to be okay!!!

[Alice]

Your courgettes will be fine Voodoo Veg. Now that they are there they will get bigger every day. As they grow they will make lovely yellow flowers on their tips. These flowers will curl up and fall off and at that point your courgettes will be just about ready for cutting. Be patient. They're coming.

[nick the grief]

Keep your eye on them as a courgette this week will be amarrow next week!!! & they are like sweet peas, the more you pick the more you get.