NEED HELP WITH ZUCCHINI

[skeeter9]

Well, once again I am having difficulties with my zucchini! I must be the only person on the face of the earth who can't grow the darned things!!

When the little squashes set on they start growing, then the bud end begins to turn yellow and shrivel, and eventually I lose the fruit! My plants are in huge pots with organic mix designed for vegetables. They get watered every other day because it's been over 100 degrees here. I test the soil before watering and the soil is dry down a couple of inches. The plants look fine. This seems to happen to me year after year.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

[GrowinVeggiesInSC]

This was happening to some of mine, then I started hand-pollenating and it hasn't happened since. The little mini-squash only grows larger and develops if fertilized. Zukes and other cucurbits have male and female flowers, so they have to be pollenated by something (bees, wasps, etc.) or someone (you!) in order to grow fruits.
Hope that makes sense, hope it helps. Good luck!

 

[skeeter9]

Could that be the case if the squash are getting about 2 inches long, then shriveling? If so, how do I assist in pollenation?

 

[GrowinVeggiesInSC]

Hmmm...
No, I suppose not if they are actually growing (mine weren't).
This article suggests it is lack of calcium. Read here: http://vegetablegardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/zucchini_blossom_end_rot

See if this makes better sense!

ETA: I know you are growing in pots in special soil, but it might be worth investigating and testing the soil if this is happening consistently.

 

[mtn_penny]

My little bitty plants started blooming today whoot! I am so ready for some zucchini.

I had somewhat the same problem last year and we had to hand pollinate as there were just not enough bees. I also found that it was somewhat better in the hot weather to water twice a day vs the every other in smaller amounts but then again it is that way for a lot of things here in the desert.

 

[bid]

I'll chime in and agree on trying to hand pollinate until you see some pollinators working the blossoms. The fruit will grow a little bit while waiting to be pollinated (2 inches sounds about right too). What you describe sounds like lack of pollination to me. Good luck!

 

[GrowinVeggiesInSC]

Could that be the case if the squash are getting about 2 inches long, then shriveling? If so, how do I assist in pollenation?

I just realized I never told you how to hand pollinate!

Get a small artist's paintbrush and pick up some of the pollen off the male flower, then put that pollen on the female flower's stigma. It's sticky, so the pollen should stay put. Do this early in the morning when the flowers are open. They shut later in the day and you won't be able to do the deed.

Good luck!

 

[skeeter9]

Well, no wonder I haven't been able to find any open flowers!!! I've been going out in the evenings thinking that I would try the hand pollination thing, but the flowers are always closed! I kept thinking that it's no wonder they aren't properly pollinated, since there aren't any open flowers! Duh!!! Guess I should get on here more often and read the posts!!

Ok - I'm going to do the deed tomorrow morning! Wish me luck!!!

Oh, and thanks for helping me out. I really appreciate your expertise!

 

[GrowinVeggiesInSC]

Haha, I'm no expert, but you're welcome!
I learn most of my stuff by accident. Just like going out into the garden early in the morning and seeing the zucchini flowers open and having an "aha!"-moment.

 

[obsessed]

I had a problem with a lack of pollinators in my garden for both the zukes and the cukes. I have had to had pollinate most of the zukes and the winter squash and a couple of cukes. But since then the bees have arrived and I have been getting some fruit.

My zukes did have the little two inch zukes that looked like they were ready but never grew. I would pollinate in the morning as well.