Growing Zucchini

I bought some Zucchini plants this year and put them in a sunny place in the garden. They get plenty of water. The problem is, every time they get a yellow flower on them, it lasts a few days and then drops off. I get no Zucchini. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? I bought 3 plants and have planted them very close together.

Wanda in NE

Answers:

Growing Zucchini

Just be patient the Zucchini will grow. Mine do that at first as well and once they start to grow you better run or have good friends to give them to as you will not be able to keep up with them. (07/01/2005)

By Susan from Hamilton

Growing Zucchini

Check the pH of your soil and add hydrated lime as for already established plants, if necessary. Also, be patient, make sure you are not over watering, and attract those bees. (07/08/2005)

By Rachelle

Growing Zucchini

I just looked up the same problem, it says that can happen when there are not enough bees pollinating. I'm going home and planting some flowers by mine, hoping to attract more bees. (07/14/2005)

By gardengirl

Growing Zucchini

There are lots of reasons: the soil might be too moist, the soil pH may be wrong. I had the same problem. I added calcium and got good results. (03/20/2006)

By Darryl

Growing Zucchini

I have had similar problems and found that with less watering, my plants have produced many nice Zucchini. Try less water. I only water mine once a week if that. Good luck. (07/24/2006)

By Ray

Growing Zucchini

On lack of bees for pollination: it is easy to pollinate yourself. Just get a long artist's brush, stroke the male flower (the pollen will adhere) and stroke the inside of the female flower. The flowers are large so it is easy. (08/03/2006)

By Ed B.

Blossom End Rot Zucchini

I have been trying to grow my Zucchini in my garden but every time a Zucchini appears, it will get about 3 to 5 inches long and it will start to rot at the end. What is the problem, because my plants are big and full, but some leaves are turning yellow and the stems are full of water. Help.

Editor's Note: That sounds like blossom end rot:

"Blossom-end rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the developing fruit. It may be an indication that calcium is lacking in the soil or that the plant does not have the ability to take up adequate amounts of calcium from the soil. The following measures will help prevent blossom-end rot:

• Test the soil and apply the recommended amount of lime before planting.
• Mulch with 2 to 3 inches of materials such as grass clippings, pine straw and leaves. Mulching prevents rapid soil drying and allows roots to take up available calcium efficiently.
• Do not over fertilize plants with nitrogen or potash. Excessive amounts of these nutrients depress the uptake of calcium.
• Water plants during extended dry periods.
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• Add organic matter to the soil. This will help "loosen" clay soils and will improve the water holding capacity of sandy soils. In either soil, organic matter will increase plant uptake of water and calcium.
• Grow squash in raised beds to improve drainage. (Do not grow squash in raised beds in the sandy Central region.)"

from hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1321.htm (06/16/2007)

By Brent M.

Growing Zucchini

When the zucchini shrivel they did not get pollinated. (10/23/2007)

By Nico from Canada

Growing Zucchini

The first flowers are the male. They are supposed to be edible, but I've never fried them up. The second flowers are the female and amazingly enough they get fertilized by the males that have already bloomed. Be patient. They will come. There is a way to tell the difference between the male and female but it's very difficult (only they know). The females have the ovary at the base of the flower, and that will bulge out and grow into a Zucchini. (06/22/2008)

By Linda