skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Zucchini Squash, wont fruit

15 years ago

Hello, I am having problems with my two zucchini squash plants. Both of them are creating lots of blossoms, and I have so far had a few fruit, but the little fruit never opens its flower to allow for pollination. Instead it starts to turn yellowish then brown and eventually falls off. This has happened with a few fruits, and I haven't harvested one yet. Might there be some sort of deficiency? Thanks for any help. Jon

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

anney
15 years ago
jonnys

Give them some time. Until the pollinators are out in full force, you aren't going to have many or any squash, even if your plants are producing male and female flowers. As you know, the females are the ones with the tiny squash at the base. You can hand-pollinate a few of them to get earlier fruits. The GardenWeb link at the bottom shows how to do it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hand Pollination of Squash
digdirt2
15 years ago
Agree. Check out this FAQ too for more details.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to hand pollinate and why?
Related Discussions
Zucchini / Squash Leaf Curl: Do I have to get rid of the plants?
Q
Comments (2)
Hi Jean- I got up this morning and the two plants just weren't creating any slight amount of new growth at all, even three days after I realized the problem was serious. It was like they were completely paralyzed. So I pulled them out and threw them away in a closed plastic bag. From what I have found online, it seems whiteflies are the most likely crux of the problem, since they seem to be the most common vector for cucurbit leaf curl viruses. I actually got rid of most insect problems by daily spraying with a homemade botanical extract (water/oil extract of hot pepper, garlic, ginger root, lemongrass, and neem tree leaves/blossoms). But recently I've been titrating down the solution to see how much I can dilute the base extract and still get good results. Then some whiteflies did start hanging around again... and I guess that was that. I didn't realize this leaf curl virus was around here and that the whiteflies could be the grim reapers. I'm bumping my hot sauce back up to the previous dilution notch that keeps the whiteflies away, and hopefully the remaining four plants won't yet get infected. Sorry for not posting a picture to start with. If this type of question comes up again, I'll include a photo showing the symptoms. Thank you for asking. -Paul
...See More
Zucchini/Summer Squash Question
Q
Comments (3)
I don't know the variety...it was labeled 'yellow summer squash'. I thought they grow pretty fast, that's why I wasn't sure if they had been pollinated. It's been the same size for about a week and I wsn't sure if I should cut them off to make room for new growth.
...See More
zucchini and squash issues
Q
Comments (2)
A black powder on the flowers/fruit/plant would not be a virus, but could be a fungus. The black powder sounds like spores. I don't know if it is treatable, but many fungal problems stem from too much water. Squash are "supposed to be" watered from the bottom to avoid getting the plant wet, to help keep it healthy although personally I have never noticed much of a difference in health as a result of watering methods. In my experience, many plants (mostly tomatoes and squash, but also legumes) eventually develop a fungal infection although it is often at the end of the season when the harvest is winding down. You might be able to find a fungicide, although I am not aware of any organic ones (if you garden organically.)
...See More
Zucchini or summer squash with mostly MALE flowers?
Q
Comments (6)
Our greenhouse is heated and attached to our home. I grow orchids, tomatoes, citrus and other tropicals in it during the colder months. I'm certain there are some varieties that are known to produce more flowers, as I used to base my seed selection on it, but that was several years ago and before we had the greenhouse. Unfortunately, I don't remember which one it was and haven't found a similar description promoting male flower production. I have tried pumpkin flowers, but I find their flavor far too floral for my savory applications.
...See More
jonnys
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you both for your input, though the problem is not with pollination. I have hand pollinated cucumbers before and it seems as its the same as the links you both provided. My problem is that the male flowers will bloom like normal, but as the females are coming in, they never open so there is no way to pollinate them. Before they ever open they turn brown and fall off. Could I be wrong and this is a problem with pollination, or could it be something else? Thanks, Jon
jwstell42
15 years ago
Are you sure they are not opening Jon?

Check them early in the morning (15 minutes - 30 minutes after the sun comes up).

I had thought mine were not opening last year, turns out I was only looking at them when i got home from work, and they had closed up for the day. But if I went down and checked them in the morning prior to leaving for work, they were all open begging for pollination :)

Just a thought.
digdirt2
15 years ago
Yes, they don't open for long - couple of hours - and only in the early morning.

Sorry about the duplicate link post above. I thought Anney's was to the squash/gourd forum.

If you can't catch them then to hand pollinate you can often still un-twist them and do it later. Not ideal but it will work. I can't get all of mine done in the morning before they start to close back up.

Dave
leira
15 years ago
I had a similar problem last year, and it turns out that it was some sort of deficiency. I applied some fertilizer (Neptune's Harvest fish fertilizer, I think) and I got better results.
knittlin
15 years ago
Another possibility ~ Are you letting the ground dry a bit (a few inches down) between waterings or keeping it wet? Too much water would cause fruit to abort as well.
jonnys
Original Author
15 years ago
After a closer inspection, Im guessing the plant aborts the first fruits. I took a look and there is now a much larger fruit that is just blooming. My guess is the plant aborts all the really small fruits at the beginning, might this be possible? The ones that fell off were not even an inch long. The one that is blooming now is nearly 2.5".

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Squash

By Marianne Lipanovich

Almost foolproof and with cheerful flowers, squash comes in a wide range of varieties to plant in spring

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Home Farmers, Show Us Your Edible Gardens

By Stacy Briscoe

We want to see where your tomatoes, summer squashes and beautiful berries are growing this summer

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops

By Marianne Lipanovich

This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer

SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Summer Crops: How to Grow Cucumbers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pick a peck for pickles or opt for fewer and raw — no matter how you slice them, cucumbers are great for summer gardens small to large

FRONT YARD IDEAS Welcome Edibles Into the Front Yard for Fresh Food and More

By Abundant City

Give your front yard design a boost and maybe even make new friends by growing fruits and vegetables

GARDENING GUIDES 15 Favorites for Your Summer Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Get your summer garden off to a good start with these popular fruits and vegetables

EDIBLE GARDENS Houzz Call: What Did You Grow This Summer?

By Annie Thornton

Let’s celebrate the homegrown fruits and vegetables of the season. Post your pictures and tell us about your harvest

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Summer Crop ...

Get an edible that’s long on flavor even if you’re short on space, with a long-time gardener’s favorite picks

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

FARM YOUR YARD 10 Easy Edibles to Grow in Containers

By Marianne Lipanovich

These herbs, vegetables and fruits are just as happy in a pot as they are in the ground

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Veggie Tales - April 2024

55

Slug killer 1% Iron Phosphate vs. 5% Sodium Ferric?

2

Hardening seeding temperatures

17

Do carpenter bee traps work?

7

How long do you harden off seedlings?

4