On 18/08/2015 14:12, Judith wrote:

I have seen thread where someone is getting much fruit on them.

Not for me: I have Venus F1s growing in raised bed and have much reduced crop
compared with previous years.

Has it been colder where you are? Mine are about three weeks behind
where they should be just like everything else that is tender. My runner
beans are still struggling but the broadbeans are on steroids.

It is really cold wet and miserable 14C here in North Yorkshire today -
no wonder anything that likes summer warmth and sunshine is sulking.

However, I have noticed there seems to be a dearth of male flowers this year.
Consequently I think that the females are not being pollinated to the degree
that they have been previously.

Odd. You usually get a load of male flowers before the plant comes
onstream with more expensive to produce female ones.

I have pollinated females when there has been a male available by transferring
pollen.

I have wondered about cutting off the male flowers and trying to save the
pollen to brush on over say the next week until next male flower appears. Any
views/comments?

The cold and wet also cuts down the number of flying insects to do the
pollenation. I have never known a courgette not set fruit though.

The problem I have is missing the odd one until it is oversize.

There is only so much courgette soup you can eat in a season.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown