Don't laugh at me - i'm a newbie remember - anyway - I was anxiously watching two small yellow squash and this am they have what looks like blossom end rot - I've looked on various websites but have not found anything exactly like it on squash - what to do?
blossom end rot on squash?
Dutch, here's a link with photos of a variety of diseases of squash. Click on the various links and see if you spot what your squash have. Then go to the fact sheets for the solution. Wet weather can can trigger a number of diseases in squash. You might try starting new plants.
Oooops, forgot the link:
http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/PhotoPages/PhotoGallery.htm
This message was edited May 8, 2007 9:51 PM
It could be that the squash wasn't pollinated.
I've been wondering the same thing - and finding that some websites recommend picking off some of the female fruit/blossoms so that the male blossoms will bloom and polinate the females. I have had lots of blossoms - but only one squash to take hold. I'm hoping this problem is going to resolve itself.
Can anyone confirm this?
Don't worry about it. This happens in the spring when there is alot of rain and dampness. I do not know if it is caused by the excess moisture or just harder for the polination to occur. I just leave the plants alone and usually when the dry and heat kick in it does not happen any more.
Patsy
Usually with unpollinated squash flowers, the tiny embryo turns yellow and drops off. It doesn't look rotten.
Dutch, you have not said how large the squash with the problem got.
I looked on mdonline and didn't find anything that really fit - the squash were about 4" long .. the squash were only rotted on the very end and that went on up the squash about 1/4" first day and about that much more the second day. I pulled them ... I have more squash on plants this am and we've had sun shine 2 WHOLE days now so maybe everything feels better. All the other squash seem to be doing fine and yellow plants look really good. Just the fruit looked yucky. The non pollinated thing is really interesting. I had never heard that before but it sure makes sense. We've had tons and tons of blooms too but knew that was normal for young plants. Since I had never seen this rot (if that what it is) on squash before I just assumed it was due to weather and humidity here. I'll let you know if it continues with the new little squashes.
So - will wait it out. I did see another small one that seems to be growing. Lots of little blossoms beginning to show potential. We did have quite a bit of rain and humidity. Today was hot and lower humidity - so maybe a good day for squash pollination! Mine weren't really rotted on the end - just dropped off the plant. I appreciate the advice!
You can go out in the morning with a Qtip and pollinate your squash, just take the pollen from the male flower and put it on the female.
Sometimes bees or other pollinators may not be present, and the manual thing works very well. I have done it many times.
Josephine.
Thanks Josephine! I'll be out there tomorrow morning - q-tips in one hand and coffee in the other :)