After Planting Keep cucumbers as weed-free as possible. Do not plow or hoe the soil deeper than about 1 inch because feeder roots may be cut and plant growth slowed. Soak the plants well with water weekly if it does not rain. Cucumbers have two different flowers, male and female. See figures 6 and 7.
Male flowers open first and always drop off.
Female flowers form the cucumber and should not drop off. If female flowers begin to drop, touch the inside of each male and female flower with a soft brush or cotton swab. This pollinates the flowers and helps them develop into fruit. Several different diseases attack cucumbers. Most show up as spots on the upper or lower sides of leaves or on fruit.