Cucumber Woes

My cucumbers are very slow to take off this year.  Although I have plenty of blossoms, I have several babies that have shriveled on the vine.  Figuring this isn't normal, I decided to do some research. 

What I found was when you have healthy cucumber plans, but few cucumbers are actually growing or the babies are shriveling, there is most likely a problem with pollination.

These carpenter bees are trying to do their job, but they just can't keep up (here's an article on the mass die-off of bees):

 

So I think I'm going to have to give them a little help by hand pollinating some of them. 

 

{Male flower with the petals torn back}

 

{Female flower that hasn't opened yet}

Here is a YouTube video about hand pollination.

 

I also found a lot of roly poly beetles (pill bugs) feeding on my cucumber plant leaves that are near the ground and also at the base of the actual fruit.  This is a controversial subject, because many sources claim that these beetles only feed on decaying matter and that they are a part of the composting process.  I have sprinkled some Diatomaceous Earth around the base of my cucumber bed in hopes of killing them off and will check again in the evening when they come out.

 

I hope to get my cucumber woes under control, because I'd love to start making pickles soon!

 

Happy Gardening!