General information and discussion about cultivating melons, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and gourds.
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May 11, 2016 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Boston, ga
Posts: 11
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Anyone ever have their squash do this?
I'm somewhat new to garden and been doing my research on google and talking to my mother a bunch but she gets annoyed when I ask too many question so I wanted to give this a try instead. 😅
Is it some thing I did to cause this or can prevent? I have had my squash planted for around a month now and have noticed some of my 1st female blooms are doing this. I also got the plants from Bonnie plants. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
May 13, 2016 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,553
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How big are the squash, it looks as if they are unpollinated tiny ones but I can't figure out the scale.
Do you have male blossoms on your plant yet. |
May 13, 2016 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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I've grown squash for about 15 years or so and haven't come across any fruit of this nature. They look mutated.. They're definitely pollinated, they just look like small fruit with the blossoms mutated onto them.. Hopefully someone with a similar experience will come along..
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May 13, 2016 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,553
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In that case I have no idea and I have grown squash a long time too. Very weird, and I thought I had seen it all.
Interesting though and I am never too old to learn so I will watch this . Just curious, what variety is it? XX Jeannine |
May 13, 2016 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 313
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Hard to say, but my best guess would be slug or insect damage as the flower was developing. I've had cucumber beetles damage squash flower buds, when their numbers were high. Voles might also have eaten the petals. That being said...
I have seen quite a few deformed blossoms on my squash; for some reason, this usually late in the season. The flowers may be deformed or doubled, and the female flowers may have a stem running through them, sometimes with leaves attached. Tromboncino flowers in particular frequently have the stem running down the fruit; as the squash develops, this can actually become a growing vine tip! I once kept a mature squash with an ingrown vine running its entire length... it bloomed all winter, using only the stored energy of the squash. Made an interesting centerpiece. |
May 13, 2016 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Boston, ga
Posts: 11
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@ Jeannine
They are small maybe a inch and yes ma'am, I have male blossoms. None of my male blossoms seem to be deform as far as I have noticed anyway. The ones I'm having problems with is my cook necked squash and green machine zucchini. It's looked to me as if they formed without petals. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
May 13, 2016 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Boston, ga
Posts: 11
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@ Zeedman
So far I haven't seen any signs of pest in my squash bed. Hardly ever have a problem with mice. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
May 13, 2016 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Boston, ga
Posts: 11
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Not all of my female blooms are doing this I have a few nice ones coming along I might be able to pick some time next week.
I can also get some pictures of the squash Sunday if that maybe help? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
May 13, 2016 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,553
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Well if it is more than one variety it is not something peculiar to that type so that idea is oit.
You say they are only an inch long, I am wondering if in fact they are not pollinated. I am finding it hard to see the flower well, is it the remains of a flower and the large petals have dropped off or is it a flower just starting. I would like to see a picture of one growing on the plant. XX Jeannine I would be inclined to leave them, don't pick them off. watch what happens next, |
May 13, 2016 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Gloster, Lousiana 71030 Zone 8a
Posts: 253
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Pollination problem. You need some bees.
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May 13, 2016 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,553
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I agree that is likely which is why I wanted to know about the flowers. it takes more than one bee visit is pollinate and poor pollination can create some strange things for sure.
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May 14, 2016 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Boston, ga
Posts: 11
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They had not bloomed yet. I'll see if I can crop the picture to see if you are able to see them better. I had picked them off so the squash plant would put its energy to better use.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
May 14, 2016 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Boston, ga
Posts: 11
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
May 14, 2016 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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Hmm, to test possible pollination issues grab a male flower, remove the petals and use the anther to hand pollinate all the female flowers. If the issue clears up then you'll have a good idea of your next solution (attracting beneficial insects with border plantings etc).
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May 15, 2016 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Boston, ga
Posts: 11
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The deformed looking female blooms have not bloomed yet it. Looks as if the petals didn't form/formed improperly. The marks on the stick are inch marks.
My squash My zucchini Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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