Topic: Why are some of my marina di chioggia funny?

[pigeonseed]

Hi all

I'm growing squash marina di chioggia and the vines are doing very well. But something is strange - some of the fruits are round, smooth and keep growing steadily, eventually a large size.



But some of the fruits stay smallish, they're rougher, not so evenly shaped and have broken ends - you can see them here




There are both types on the same plants, so it can't be a problem with the plant or its conditions.

Has anyone come across this, and can explain?

[amphibian]

Slug damage to the embryonic fruit?

[Digeroo]

Second picture looks to me as if it has not been fertilized. 

[pigeonseed]

Second picture looks to me as if it has not been fertilized. 

That's interesting - I though unfertilised ones just shrivelled and dropped off when tiny. (These have got to about 4cm across, before stopping. )

But if not being fertilised is the problem, then that would explain why only some are affected.
And same with slug damage. 

[pigeonseed]

They're gone - I've eaten them! Well, they weren't getting any bigger, so off with their heads!

[saddad]

An excellent solution...  ;D