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 yellow squash failing to mature?
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RedHoopWoman
True Blue Farmgirl

513 Posts

Kathryn
Yoder Colorado
USA
513 Posts

Posted - Aug 15 2012 :  10:13:46 PM  Show Profile
I have a few straightneck yellow squash plants that are producing a prolific amount of squash that fail to mature,they only get to a few inches in length then wrinkle and wither from the blossom end,any of you gals have any ideas what could be causing this?

"Today's Mighty Oak is just Yesterday's Nut"

Melina
True Blue Farmgirl

435 Posts

Melina

USA
435 Posts

Posted - Aug 16 2012 :  09:32:00 AM  Show Profile
That's usually lack of adequate pollination. Are you seeing lots of bees? Also, some hybrid squash will have only a few male plant seeds in a packet and if you don't have any, the female blossoms won't make it. I found that out the hard way with a butter bar summer squash a few years ago. Lots of plant growth, nubbins of female fruit beginning, but total failure in the end.

The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi
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Lorie.Vance
True Blue Farmgirl

200 Posts

Lorie
Tampa FL
200 Posts

Posted - Aug 16 2012 :  09:39:58 AM  Show Profile
This is interesting! I have squash growing now and will have to monitor for this. Does anyone have heirloom seeds or a great source to seeds that you'd like to pass on?

Lorie

http://thevintagegardengirl@blogspot.com
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RedHoopWoman
True Blue Farmgirl

513 Posts

Kathryn
Yoder Colorado
USA
513 Posts

Posted - Aug 16 2012 :  10:13:58 AM  Show Profile
That may be it Melina,I haven't seen alot of bees this year but the thing is that they seem to start growing and get a few inches long and then just fizzle from the blossom end,it's so frustrating.
The plant is super healthy and is putting out alot of little "squashlets" but they just don't do anything.
It's an heirloom variety from Baker's Creek Heirloom seeds which by the way Lorie is one of my favorite vendors of heirloom seeds along with Seeds of Change.
Maybe I should try hand pollinating my squash?
My Grandma used to just pick the male flowers and swirl them inside the female flower so maybe I should give that a shot.

"Today's Mighty Oak is just Yesterday's Nut"
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Lorie.Vance
True Blue Farmgirl

200 Posts

Lorie
Tampa FL
200 Posts

Posted - Aug 16 2012 :  11:48:13 AM  Show Profile
Thanks Kathryn! I'm going look this up as our planting season is just about coming up here in Tampa.

Lorie

http://thevintagegardengirl@blogspot.com
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl

3331 Posts

marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW Washington State
USA
3331 Posts

Posted - Aug 16 2012 :  3:18:50 PM  Show Profile
Kathryn,
I think you can pollinate using a qtip fairly easily...if you don't want to pick the male blossom. Good luck.
marianne
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