Hi,
Can anyone tell me why this is happening with my summer squash?
What ails my summer squash?
It looks like Blossom End Rot? Or perhaps too much water? It certainly doesn't look happy! Are they all like that?
I hope you find out because mine are doing the same thing! I was beginning to wonder if it was our horrid heat here.
No, thank god they are not all like that. I have had some great squash, but it is happening to both the Cocozelle and the Yellow Crookneck.
I did not know squash suffered blossom end rot, I thought it was a tomato problem... thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
I found this artice:
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/squash-blossom-end-rot-causes-and-treatment.htm
I saved the article. Thanks for posting. I've seen some of that this year especially with my yellow squash. I don't think it's a water problem with mine and it looks like I need some of that foliar calcium for quick fixes. Mine mostly do it when the plants are first starting to bear. Between the squash vine borers and the heat, I'm very squash deficient this year.
Twiggy, I'm right there with ya! I've had SVB on two on mine (only had 4 to start with) and now this horrid heat!
Need to look for some kind of calcium rich foliar spray. Any ideas?
My squash is staying small. The plants are fine but the squash doesn't seem to be getting very big. Any ideas?
Thank you,
DDDAL
At least you've got squash! So far I've only got one going strong and a few VERY tiny babies. Ditto the cukes. I can't help but think all of my issues are weather related.
My crookneck seem to be slowing down - I think because the patty pan plant is SO HUGE (5' tall, 6' across), it's blocking the sunlight from the crookneck. I had this problem earlier in the season, I thought because the zucchini was cross pollinating with the crookneck, but maybe it was blossom-end problems...
Not yet I don't, at least to eat. I keep finding more on the plants but they're no bigger around than a quarter and they're staying that way. My cucumbers are not coming on very fast either. I'm going to agree with you about the weather. I just didn't know if I was doing something wrong. Maybe in a couple weeks we will have tons.
DDDAL, are you folks getting a lot of rain?? That could be a problem.. do you think Epsom salts might work.. add a teaspoon of it to your watering can & see... I know Epsom salts are good for encouraging blooms but I don't know if for veggies. Please let me know as I've inherited a planter/container that was full of veggies, mostly pumpkins & I am getting wonderful seedlings right now.. that was after I took out all the "stuff" like eggs shells, etc.
Cindylove, it's raining right now but the garden was pretty dry. We had lots of rain earlier. Right now in Eaton, IN it's 66 degrees. Do you think I should put epsom salts around the plants or in the water? Which plants would benefit from the salts? I'll keep you posted on what happens. After tomorrow the temps are suppose to go back to normal, mid to high eighties. I have epsom salts and could do that tomorrow.
Thanks,
DDDAL
It is best to wait until it stops raining, but be careful that you don't overwater your plants. Here it what I read; 1 tablespoon of Epsom per foot for roses.. I am guessing that it's the rose height this is referring to. 2 tablespoons per gallon for plants, and 2 tablespoons per 9 square ft for trees, but only 3 times per year.
DO NOT use Epsom salts on ANY type of sage, that will kill it.
Unfortunately I have not tried it on my plants yet as it's been very hot & I am watering carefully & all at once so I am not doing it via the watering can.
Hope this works for you. Remeber to use plain salts, as I have seen them come with fragrances.
Cindylove, thanks for the info. Since we had a nice shower yesterday, I'll give it a try in a few days. I'll let you know the results.
DDDAL
Poor pollination could be adding to the problem, especially if the rain has kept the bees at bay. I've seen it when the honey bee populations have dwindled before the wild bee populations kicked back in.
This message was edited Jul 7, 2009 9:28 AM
Cindylove, I guess my squash just wanted some sunshine and heat. I harvested 6 nice size ones yesterday. I did go ahead and give them a drink of water with the epsom salts yesterday as a test. The reason I did this is because a gave the same concoction to some flower pots and they really did seem bushier. Thanks for the help.
Mine are getting better also, it seems. I have harvested many nice and healthy ones now.
Looks like poor pollination to me, too.
Jerry
I guess the bees were looking for some sunshine too. When I had a hive, they stayed at home and got all grumpy when it rained!
Well, son of a gun if my first of thje season didn't do that, too! Little bugger!!! (The 2/3's that I was able to eat was yum-my, though!
I'm fighting Late Blight in my garden, so I'm hoping this won't be the first and only tomatoes for me this season!!! I dug up a few potatoes, as well, just to be sure the blight and or borer slugs wasn't infesting them! So far, so good underground! May God help me keep it that way!
My apologies for not writing sooner.. I have only just got back online to DG now!!! I am pleased to ehar you had some success DDDAL.. I hope to grow squah in containers this year as I hope to make some zucchini relish.. I haven't had any oppurtunity or space/garden to do so so I am getting excited!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone & stay warm if you need to!!! We do here in Texas as we are unusually cold!! hahaha