There are various reasons why cucumbers do not produce fruit. One of them is the lack of pollination by insects. In this case, there are several ways you can promote fruiting.
How can I pollinate cucumbers myself?
Cucumbers can be hand pollinated by transferring pollen using the strip method, brush method or shaking method. Alternatively, you can choose parthenocarpic cucumber varieties such as Swing F1, Loustik F1 and Diamant F1, which do not require pollination.
Helping by hand
Cucumbers that grow outdoors are pollinated by wild bees, bumblebees and insects. Varieties that produce female and male flowers on one plant are suitable for outdoor planting. However, the transfer of pollen requires warm and dry weather. If the summer is cooler and wetter, crop yields will be lower. In the greenhouse, nature has its limits because flying pollinators are usually missing in the enclosed space.
Strike method
The first flower buds to open on the cucumber plant are usually male. Stronger female flowers only develop later. Cut off a specimen with stamens and remove the petals. Brush the stamens over the flower organs of the opposite sex.
Brush method
You can use a brush to specifically pollinate cucumber flowers in the greenhouse. Brush this over each individual flower. Repeat the process twice daily to promote fruit formation. More and more pollen accumulates between the brush bristles and is distributed even better. If you don't have a brush at hand, you can use a cotton swab.
Shaking method
This variant is less successful because the pollen is not specifically transferred between the flowers. With a dense population of plants in the greenhouse, the success of shaking is greater than with individual plants. Hold the cucumber plant directly by the stem and shake it vigorously and gently. The more often you carry out this measure, the higher the success rate.
Tip
Open the greenhouse windows more often. In this way, pollinator insects can get lost indoors and take over the pollen transfer.
Planting parthenocarp cucumbers
There are cucumber varieties that develop fruit without any pollination. They only produce female flowers, which produce fruit after mechanical stimuli. These are seedless, so such varieties are not suitable for propagation. They require warmth and are often unsuitable for growing outdoors.
These are virgin-fruited varieties:
- Swing F1: resistant and aromatic, brings high yields
- Loustik F1: well-bearing variety that also thrives outdoors
- Diamant F1: robust and resistant to mildew, suitable for outdoor beds
Good to know
Creed forms that are intended for cultivation in a greenhouse do not need to and should not be pollinated. If flying insects get lost indoors, they carry pollen from hermaphroditic flowering outdoor cucumbers. This incorrect pollination of parthenocarpic plants poses a risk of malformations. The cucumbers become crippled and sick. Therefore, you should pay attention to protection with fly screens when you open the windows.
