Squash rotting on the plant?????

I am new to gardening, and don't know what to do. I have yellow squash rotting on the plant. SEE PIC
Back Story: I am in Central Florida and have had drought conditions, followed by 7 solid days of rain. Around the 4th day I looked out to find my hills where the squash are planted covered by water, up into the plant. (This happened on and off for the next 3 days)

I am now noticing that most of my yellow squash, and some of my zucchini, is rotting, starting at the dying flower back into the veggie. I have been cutting off the rotten squash, SHOULD I BE DOING THIS?

I am noticing when I touch the flower part on the bad ones, the flower is full of water. (Could the water be what is ruining the veggie)

On my still healthy squash, should I remove the flower when it starts to dry out or does it fall off on it's own? I have noticed lots of bees landing on the beautiful squash flowers the past few mornings before the afternoon rains come and the flowers close up.

Also, do I remove the yellowing leaves at the base of the plant.

Your squash probably isn't being pollinated because of the wet conditions. The squashlets will fall off on their own.

TammeeBee, that is definitely caused by all your watering (or rainfall, I should say). Too much water will cause rot on the fruit which is why many folks plant their squash on a mound. If you ever get a period of moderate rain (no flooding) you should get back to normal fruiting.

As for the yellowing leaves, that too happens due to too much water. I'd also be on the lookout for squash bugs though, just in case.

And no, don't pull the flowers off your healthy squash, just let them fall off naturally. Pulling them off prematurely will leave an open area and before it scars over it would allow bugs and/bacteria in.

Wishing you a great harvest!
Shoe

Horseshoe-What is a squash bug? I have noticed that some ants are trying to live in the flowers. They must not like all of the rain

I had ants stealing my pollen too, my friend told me not to be mad because the ants help pollinate those types of plants.

P.S. I have no idea what a squash bug is. They probably suck.

Info on the squash bug

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef314.asp
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2141.html
http://www.vegedge.umn.edu/vegpest/cucs/squabug.htm

TammeeBee, squash bugs love squash plants and once they start reproducing on them (laying eggs on top and bottom of leaves) can really wipe out plants pretty quick. Here is one of the better online links about them:
http://www.vegedge.umn.edu/vegpest/cucs/squabug.htm

And yep, those ants may be doing those squash plants good, hopefully helping to pollinate the flowers. Keep an eye out for aphids though as ants love to have them in their life, too.

Shoe

Edited to thank Joan, who apparently types much faster than me with links! :>)
Nice to see you Joan! Happy Day to ya!

This message was edited May 27, 2009 10:44 PM