Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Plant Genders

Q. I was told by an elderly person that there are male plants and female plants. It all started when we were eating watermelon and she told us there is a female and a male watermelon. She went on to say that the female was sweeter and she could tell the difference. Is this true?

A. At the university, we did research on the sex of plants. There are some horticultural plants which have male and female flowers on two different plants. Melons are a great example. Pumpkins, too, and holly...you do not get red berries unless you have a male and female plant, as I have in my backyard!

Now, where she is wrong is that the male flower's pollen must be spread over to the female flowers to set a fruit. Then, it develops into a watermelon. The male does not produce fruit. Makes sense right? So, there is no such thing as a male fruit tasting better than a female one. The male cannot bear fruit, but is necessary to ever get the melons we so enjoy.

Is this clear? You can set her straight, or let it pass, as she probably will not believe me anyway!