Anyone ever have their squash do this?

[A.brooke.c]

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.


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[Jeannine Anne]

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.

[Mike723]

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..

[Jeannine Anne]

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

[Zeedman]

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.

[A.brooke.c]

@ 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.


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[A.brooke.c]

@ Zeedman
So far I haven't seen any signs of pest in my squash bed. Hardly ever have a problem with mice.




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[A.brooke.c]

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?


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[Jeannine Anne]

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,

[UFXEFU]

Pollination problem. You need some bees.

[Jeannine Anne]

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.

[A.brooke.c]

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.


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[A.brooke.c]

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[Mike723]

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).

[A.brooke.c]

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




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