| Author |
Garden Gate:  HELP! No fruit on my squash plants...  |
|
JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 26 2009 : 1:39:31 PM
|
FarmGirls, I am at a loss! I have lovely big squash plants - Hubbard, spaghetti, patty pan and zucchini - and they all have flowers on them but no fruit! I have LOTS of bees in my garden, thanks to the lavender, bee balm and borage and other flowers. So, I would imagine the squash flowers are getting visited by the bees. I am so sad that I don't see any fruits yet - any ideas on what it could be? Thanks so much!!!
We come from the earth, we go back to the earth, and in between, we garden! |
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2009 : 1:54:47 PM
|
How long have you had the flowers? It takes a little while for the fruit to come on after they start to flower. Are you watering, too? Fertilizing? Bees should be doing the job of pollinating for you. It just may be taking longer than you thought. Be patient!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
 |
|
|
1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2009 : 3:12:35 PM
|
I have never ever heard of a crop failure with squash, especially when you have flowers, has it been extra cool there, not enough sun, plenty of water, are the flowers normal sized
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
|
|
|
Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2009 : 4:25:39 PM
|
Usally the male flowers are the first to bloom and within a few weeks you will start seeing the females, they are the flowers with the fruit. Be patient you will have squash.
Lillian |
|
|
|
willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2009 : 4:44:29 PM
|
Do you have squash bugs? I had beautiful squash plants with tons of flowers but they got infested with squash bugs (we were on vacation and the caretaker didnt notice them until it was too late) and we had no squash or zucchini! I was SOOOOO bummed! We lost about 12 plants of each!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
|
|
|
|
JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2009 : 6:07:05 PM
|
Hmmm...well, it has been warm = hot really, so cold isn't the problem, and they get at least 6-8 hours of sun a day, if not more - they are in a primo location in my garden. The flowers have been on for at least 3 weeks, maybe even 4...I don't know about squash bugs - I will look them up, but the flowers and leaves don't seem to be getting eaten up. I will put some extra manure on the plants...I put some on when I planted, and put compost in the soil when I worked it up. Thanks for your help!
We come from the earth, we go back to the earth, and in between, we garden! |
|
|
|
mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2009 : 10:27:12 PM
|
hahaha! no zuchinni/squash yet? I have to laugh,,,last year we had a funny thread going about how to "give-away" zuchinni/squash......just ask huckleberrywine! lol!!!
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
Peacebird
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Marianne
Afton
Va
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 04:03:40 AM
|
DO you have bees or other pollinators buzzing about?
chickens clucking, bees buzzing, flowers blooming, all is good! |
|
|
|
Peacebird
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Marianne
Afton
Va
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 04:06:40 AM
|
hey Grace - I was the "victim" of a 'random squashing' on Saturday! LOL!
Ray left 4 bags of zuchini, eggplant, and yellow squash on my porch! :-)
You know the perfect thing for extra squash, especially those that hide under a leaf til they are big as baseball bats? Boil 'em into squash mush and freeze it. Then dump it into winter stews to thicken them up!
cheers,
m.
chickens clucking, bees buzzing, flowers blooming, all is good! |
Edited by - Peacebird on Jul 27 2009 04:08:01 AM |
|
|
|
Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 09:07:03 AM
|
Are these from seed you bought or saved? Wondering if there may be a GM off-switch to blame? I have some in my garden with the same problem, but no bugs I can see. I convinced myself it was because I planted too many too close together. Seems like some are producing, and others have "sacrificed themselves" to not producing? Just a wild guess. I made a note to give them more room next year and see if that doesn't help.
We make a difference. |
|
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 09:36:31 AM
|
Whew!gh,,,,thank goodness I am not a "Victim"...(yet),,, of zucchini/squash dumping" hahaha!
I have several young plants & one older plant...the older one has no desire to be a "mama",,,least ways not yet! so I guess you (judy) & I will be leaving out car doors unlocked in hopes of a zucchini burglar sneaking by & leaving some in our cars...lol!
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2009 : 10:05:05 AM
|
Yes, Grace, and anyone in the Spokane area. I would LOVE to be a squash dumping victim! My hubbard and spaghetti squash are from seeds I saved, but I got the originals from a roadside stand in Canada, so I doubt they are GM plants. I have TONS of buzzy bees all over my garden. Well, I will continue to wait and see. The zucchini and patty pan are from plants I bought so they SHOULD be producing!!! Thanks for your input!
We come from the earth, we go back to the earth, and in between, we garden! |
|
|
|
Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 08:00:39 AM
|
Careful what you wish for...bwa-ha-ha!
Zucchini fairies...please do not wait to deliver a 10 lb. squash. Tender little things are so much nicer to share!
Someone dropped off some yellow squash on steroids....too hard, and what on earth am I going to do with these? Gift horse and all....I think I'll peel them and see if that makes them more amenable to use. Can't wait to dry them into chips or peel them into noodles.
We make a difference. |
|
|
|
sherone_13
True Blue Farmgirl
2460 Posts
Sherone
Evanston
WY
USA
2460 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 3:18:40 PM
|
Here's what you need to do.....find a soft bristle craft paintbrush.....like one you would use to base coat a craft project. Softly flick the brush on the pistol of one zucchini flower.....then the next.....then the next....and so on. You are doing the job of the bees. This works well on tomatoes, as well. It kinda like "hooking up" the plants......
Just a little Master Gardener trick. Works wonders......
Sherone
http://tinytaylorranch.etsy.com
http://taylorscountrystore.blogspot.com/
http://www.youravon.com/sheronetaylor
|
|
|
|
Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 5:23:27 PM
|
And wear wings...make a little buzzing sound...might help if you take a bottle of wine out and a candle... ;) Oh, I'd fall down laughing at myself. I know it works though, I do that for my meyer lemon, which spends most of the time indoors. Have about a half dozen lemons on it right now. :) Bzzz.
We make a difference. |
|
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
|
|
peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2009 : 8:23:16 PM
|
| Is this thread turning X-rated? We have a meyer lemon too , but only one lemon. I think I forgot the wine and candle. I have thought about planting it outside but I'm afraid it might get too cold even though we live in a mild climate. I have seen outside some homes here. |
|
|
|
Peacebird
True Blue Farmgirl
89 Posts
Marianne
Afton
Va
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2009 : 04:22:30 AM
|
Hi Sharlet!
I have my meyer lemon in a big ol' pot and keep it inside in the winter by the french doors, and put it out on the deck in May for the summer. Have to watch where you put it outside or the deer will "trim" the foliage.... I have four little lemons coming in.
chickens clucking, bees buzzing, flowers blooming, all is good! |
|
|
|
Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2009 : 05:28:04 AM
|
my squash have hardly done anything this yr. I normally have tons but his year have only gotten one or two. Weird huh?
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
www.KKJD1.etsy.com |
|
|
|
peapicker
True Blue Farmgirl
716 Posts
texas
USA
716 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2009 : 06:21:51 AM
|
Marianne, I have mine in a big pot too. It's about five or six years old. I just wonder if it would do better in the ground here in a protected southern spot outside. I'm just too chicken to take a chance on losing it from the weather. I get lots of blooms every year but never more than two lemons ever make.
The squash is interesting ! I have never had plants that didn't make. It's happened on tomatoes though. I have to say I am wondering about the seed and if all of the experienments they are doing is interferring. |
|
|
|
JudyBlueEyes
True Blue Farmgirl
657 Posts
Judith
Spokane
Washington
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2009 : 07:58:32 AM
|
Well, after a thorough search, I found one hubbard squash, about the size of a golf ball!!! So something is happening, and I guess I will try to be patient. Thanks for all your advice, and Michelle, I think I will leave the candles and wine to some other project! LOL!!!
We come from the earth, we go back to the earth, and in between, we garden! |
|
|
|
katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2009 : 11:07:23 PM
|
hey Judy, guess what! I finally got 1 squash on my plant!!! yeah!
I took Heather's advice and added Epsome salt around my tomato & peppers & zucchinis & squash plants & my plants are now exploding!
hugz
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3319 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3319 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2009 : 06:48:32 AM
|
On saturday during my rummage sale a rather ancient elderly woman came up to my DH and proclaimed to the whole yard... " Never have "zucchini" on those plants they are all female" Well...I was a bit peeved as my "Summer Sqaush" is a true testament to the glory of God's green earth and the warm golden sun. ...they are GYNORMUS plants with huge beautiful green leaves and bright bosomy buds (say that fast five times)!!!
After the sale I proceeded to the "net" to find out if in fact, there are male and female squash plants much to my amazment duh  ... I have a ton of fat female stems and very few skinny male stems. I am hoping that the bees I do have in the garden are planning on working a double shift so that I will have some summer squash come the end of this very short and very cool UP growing season.
Lesson Learned- Never pooh pooh when an older than God rummage sailer offers gardening advice! 
Melody
Farmgirl #525
http://melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com |
Edited by - melody on Aug 04 2009 06:52:06 AM |
|
|
|
Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2009 : 2:44:37 PM
|
Eat the blossoms. :) Pretty good like squash blossom rellenos. Use the pollen from those few flowers up, then gnosh.
We make a difference. |
|
|
|
Farmers Daughter
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
DiAnn
90 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2009 : 09:29:12 AM
|
I too have had now squash! what the heck. Who can't grown squash. Apparently me this year. Never have ever had this trouble. Lot of blossoms, but nothing set on. Other neighbors in the area have been saying the same thing. By now we all should have our kitchens full of the stuff.
Tomatoes too are not right. Maybe something is wrong with our environment? |
|
|
|
Garden Gate: HELP! No fruit on my squash plants... |
|
HELP! No fruit on my squash plants...
