Zucchini developing at stem end but withering at blossom end

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Loligo Murphysboro, IL(Zone 6b) Aug 05, 2008

Hi all -- I've scanned through all the zucchini threads going back to May but haven't seen this one addressed -- sorry if I missed it!

I've gotten one big, healthy zucchini off my one plant so far, but three others have developed at the stem end (getting dark green and as wide around as a typical mature zucchini) while at the same time shriveling up and turning yellow at the blossom end. I picked one of those and tried to cook the part that looked good, but it was very tough and starchy.

The plant was planted with a slow-release fertilizer and I've been foliar feeding every couple weeks, too. Any idea what might be causing the problem?

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fourks Evergreen, CO Aug 05, 2008

I'm having the same problem. I've been told incomplete watering, or poor pollination. But I'm still not to sure, maybe someone here knows?

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Aug 05, 2008

90% of the time , that symptom is a pollination problem. Hand pollination ( tranferring pollen from the male flower to the female usaully solves it) Blossom end rot (BER) which is a result of plant stress accounts for most of the rest.

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fourks Evergreen, CO Aug 05, 2008

Thanks Farmerdill. You hear so many things that it's sometimes hard to figure.

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Loligo Murphysboro, IL(Zone 6b) Aug 05, 2008

Thanks! With only one plant, I guess pollination is going to be kind of chancy. My garden is tiny and squash plants are huge, but I will definitely try to squeeze in a couple more next year.

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Surreybrit Big Lake, MN(Zone 4a) Aug 05, 2008

In another posting Farmerdill suggested Googling for hand pollination of cucurbits. This could work for your lone plant.

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fourks Evergreen, CO Aug 06, 2008

I did have better zutes when I hand pollinated. But the flowers are fast and furious, and life seems to keep me behind. Plus, I have two hive of honey bees on this hill. Maybe not the best pollinators for zucchini?

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Aug 06, 2008

The problem with honeybees is that they prefer to work one crop at a time. When you only have a couple of squash plants, they tend to bypass them for a more plentiful nectar source. Plant enough to make it worth thier while and they will come.

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