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Pumpkins, Squash & Gourds

Whats wrong with my gourds?

17 years ago

I am growing "fancy mix " gourds from a burpee seed pack. I have them planted in southern exposure ( best spot in the yard) and thyea re growing like wildfire! - i have lots of flowers even. the problem is, the flowers that make yellow fruit ( not sure of name) after the fruit gets about 3 inches long, it softens up, shrivels and rots. whats happening? the green fruit seem fine..and i have no white fruit like shown on the package. I water them everyday, and i have them running atrellis. Any ideas?

thanks

Tina

Featured Answer

pogoduck

17 years ago

Sounds to me like the female flowers might not be getting fertilized. You could hand pollinate by picking the male flower (no baby gourd at the base), pull the petals back and smudge the pollen on the open female flowers (visible baby gourd at base). The female flowers open in the evening, so that's the best time to look for them. I lost a lot of my early gourds and pumpkins because I didn't have pollinaters. I also wouldn't water every day.

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Comments (6)

Heathen1
17 years ago
too much water? I'd think in your zone, every day is too much. I only water mine every day when the temps are in the triple digits. They like water, but I don't think they're bog plants. :o)
gardenquest
Original Author
17 years ago
ok thanks i will let them dry a bit.....We have had temps upper 90's for 3 days and forecast for 6 more, i am afraid to let them dry out too much though.
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Heathen1
17 years ago
No, don't let them dry, maybe stick your finger in the soil, if it's dry an inch down, it's time to water. I could be wrong, but yellowing fruit and blossom drop are often due to over watering.
arrick
17 years ago
I am having the same problem with mine, except even earlier in the process! I am also growing Burpee Fancy Mix (small gourd variety) and all the female buds are turning yellow and falling off before the flower even opens! I'm talking about them being less than an inch long. It's really aggravating because last year I grew this variety and easily had 10-15 gourds per plant, no hand pollinating or anything needed! Now I don't think I'll have a single one. I've considered all the other potential causes - cucumber beetles (I have seen a few, mostly in the male flowers), too much water (maybe?), and lack of pollination shouldn't be an issue at all because this is happening on flowers that haven't even opened yet! Help!

Anyone have any idea what's happening this year?
HU-839348028
3 years ago
thank you did not pollant I guess

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