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Squash plants
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Author:  Happyklk [ Sat May 15, 2004 5:26 am ]
Post subject:  Squash plants

This year we've gone totally organic with our garden. I have six beautiful squash plants. The leaves are a dark green. My problem is that some of the squash are brown on the ends and mushy. I was wondering if I am watering too much? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Author:  jmeier [ Sat May 15, 2004 7:59 am ]
Post subject: 

um...that is usually a sign of inadequate pollination.

Author:  Happyklk [ Sat May 15, 2004 7:38 pm ]
Post subject: 

Do you have a suggestion on what I can do about the pollination problem?

Author:  jmeier [ Sat May 15, 2004 7:58 pm ]
Post subject: 

If I have that problem I hand pollinate. I usually just pick one of the open male flowers, and swab the inside of the open female flowers. a little more labor intensive, but works well

Author:  Happyklk [ Sun May 16, 2004 8:57 pm ]
Post subject: 

Thanks for your input. I am curious about something - the squash plants are loaded with squash. If the problem was pollination it seems like I wouldn't have any squash.

Author:  jmeier [ Mon May 17, 2004 10:19 am ]
Post subject: 

with no pollination you would get no squash. Inadequate/ncomplete pollination results in not all of the female flower coming in contact with the pollen. so the whole fruit does not form...the part that does not form rots.

Author:  Happyklk [ Tue May 18, 2004 2:22 pm ]
Post subject: 

jmeir, thanks for clearing that up for me.

Author:  cwilson [ Wed May 19, 2004 7:52 am ]
Post subject: 

Hello, I figured I would throw in my two cents here. Jmeier keeps referring to the female flowers on the plant. In case you do not know curcurbits (Squash,Watermelons,Cucumbers) have two types of flowers a male flower and a female flower. They are actually very easy to tell apart. The male flower just looks like any other normal flower. The female flower actually has a round bulb the flower comes out of. Curcurbits require pollinators (i.e. insects) to set fruit. I have been told that during the first part of the season there will be more male flowers than female flowers but as the season goes on it will balance out. Also, on the pollination note it is my understanding that there has to be a grain of pollen for each seed in the curcurbit in order for the fruit not to abort.

Chad

Author:  Happyklk [ Wed May 19, 2004 9:33 am ]
Post subject: 

cwilson, thank you so much for your reply. I basically understood about the male/female pollination thing, but you explained it very well. thanks.

Author:  jmeier [ Fri May 21, 2004 5:42 pm ]
Post subject: 

hehehe 8)

Author:  unklmike [ Tue Jun 08, 2004 9:56 am ]
Post subject: 

the flowers are also edible. pick a few of the male flowers and add them to your next salad. they're actually very good!

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