I know my zuchinni and summer squash wouldn't grow up a trellis. From what I understand there are very few summer squashes that will. Almost all cucumbers should grow up a trellis.

The fruitless vine segments don't rob energy from the plant. Just the opposite. Leaves are essential to convert sunlight useable plant energy. JMHO. Jim

Can you tell us where you are gardening in Oklahoma. You don't have to tell us exactly where like a city or a county, but at least a region--like central OK or southern OK or northeastern OK or something. This is important for us to know because it tells us what your weather has been like. When you say they have been outside for a few weeks now, that really, really concerns me. Squash should not have been outside for a few weeks prior to now, even with our oddly warm spring weather having arrived so early. The nights still have been cold enough in most of Oklahoma that squash plants wouldn't like it. People in parts of southern OK and eastern OK, and maybe even central OK, could have had squash plants in the ground for a month now and likely those plants would be green, looking good and about to flower because the soil has stayed pretty warm in those parts of the state. However, plants in containers are considered to be growing one zone colder than their actual location because they are not well-insulated from cold nights like plants in the ground, so your plants probably have been too cold at night and that is part of the problem. I'll address the condition of your plants in a second, but first I want to address your statement "I never knew gardening was so difficult, but I am not giving up!" First of all, I am glad you are determined to keep gardening and are not giving up. That is terrific. Now, about gardening being difficult, and I mean this in a kind way---you are making it more difficult than it has to be. How do I know that? Your statement that you are using poor soil due to expense. What do you mean by poor soil? Exactly what soil are you using? When you are gardening, the entire process starts with the soil. No matter what you do, you cannot grow good plants in poor soil, and that is even more true when you are growing in containers. When you put poor soil of any kind into containers, you are dooming whatever plants are in that soil. So, if you really are using poor soil, that's your problem right there, and no amount of watering or fertilizing will change things. So, tell us about your soil. Also, if you remember the date you put the plants into the pots, we need to know that. We will help you to the extent we can, but if you cannot fix the soil, you cannot fix the problems, if indeed the soil is poor enough that it is the main issue. Please tell me you did not dig up dirt out of the ground and put it into the pots. Once we know what your soil is, we can talk about how to fix it. The recommended fix cannot be determined until we know more about the current state of your soil. As for the plants, they look to me like plants that are growing in poor soil. Dawn

How about this one... still have it, since when my girls were little. Zucchini Chocolate Cake t=teaspoon T=Tablespoon c=cup 2 1/2 c unsifted flour 1/2 c cocoa 2 1/2 t soda 1 t salt 1 t cinnamon 3/4 c margarine or butter 2 c sugar 3 eggs 2 t vanilla 2 t grated orange peel (optional) 2 c shredded zucchini 1/3 c milk 1 c nuts (optional) 350 degree oven mix first 3 ingredients, set aside Beat margarine and add the next 5 ingredients and add the flour mixture and milk. Mix well. Pour in to greased and floured bundt cake form (springform). Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Cool in pan for about 15 minutes and then take it out of the pan to let cool the rest. Drizzle with icing if desired. Icing 2 c powdered sugar 3 T milk Really yummy with a dollop of whipping cream on top. :)