Courgette Growing

[Chipchopper]

Is it wise to remove the faded flowers from the ends of the courgettes, to avoid blossom end rot ?

[rowanwitch]

...I never bother but it is advisable especially in damp weather.

[Togo]

I do Chip but I leave the flowers that have no courgette to help pollination. The flowers are edible you know.

[Chipchopper]

Thank you both!
Its been a bit rainy, so I'll continue to remove the blooms.
Eating the flowers sounds tempting, if you have plenty but it seems a shame to sacrifice a courgette for a flower.

[Togo]

You can leave the flower on until the courgette is formed Chip. Top end eateries charge an arm and leg for courgette in tempura batter and the flowers are good in a salad.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/may/19/courgette-risotto-recipe

[alavahalf]

We all know what happens with courgettes .. they grow like wildfire and you cant give them away.
With the amount of rain we had last night, I doubt I will have any flowers left to remove.
But yes .. anything looking limp and withered is best on the compost heap.
Funnily enough 2 of mine are purposely planted on the compost heap and producing well.

[Togo]

You need a pumpkin in there Alava, if you haven't already. Get you a monster one.

[MallyJ]

I don't know the answer to your question but I have decided that I am not suffering from election fatigue but a nasty case of Blossom End Rot......fabulous name Thank you!

[Chipchopper]

Good advice, thanks again.

I've just noticed the tiny black specks on the new flowers, are in fact aphids and not soil splashing up from the ground, as I first thought.
So, its pistols at dawn with my weak detergent spray gun!
Another good reason for removing the blooms, I think.