Squash problem

[petemason]

This is the first time I've tried to grow squash and I've got a problem with them. The plants are romping away fine and the flowers look lovely. I can see the fruits forming behind the flower:




but when the flowers drop off the squash stop growing and simply rot.



Any ideas?

[petemason]

[sandersj89]

Lack of pollination, male and female flowers some times do not coincide and it can be a small problem taht normally sorts itself out. I also help pollinatio along by hand at times.

Jerry

[cleo]

Jerry has it.-it`s lack of pollenation for sure.

[bennettsleg]

How can you tell male from female?  Lifting skirts is not really an option...

[sandersj89]

On the female you can see the start of the fruit behind the flower, there is just a stalk for the male flower:

In this it is the male on top.... ;)



Jerry

[saddad]

Female on top in your picture surely Sandersj89?

[petemason]

Female on top in your picture surely Sandersj89?

I must admit I thought the same but thanks for the advice everone. I can put up with parsnips not germinating but when you've got squash plants tripping you up everywhere you step and no fruits on them it's a bit annoying.

[supersprout]

Some squash are quite tiny and the females don't 'show' very clearly, and some chaps look bumpy til you check inside the flower, so appearances can sometimes be deceptive. Chaps have all the pollen on a long stamen, and the lay-dees have sticky receptors. That's the way to be extra sure if you plan to make introductions 8)

[bennettsleg]

I shall have a goggle when next at the plot.  Should I get hold of a back copy of Dr Ruth's books just to make sure. Maybe a copy of The Rules. I sense a missed marketing opportunity for the garding/publishing world!

Must confess Jerry, bit confused with your description Vs the photo as the bottom one looks like is has a stalk (boyo) and the top one the fruit beginnings (laydee). Or am I just stoopid (again)? ;D

[sandersj89]

Female on top in your picture surely Sandersj89?

Oops......got carried away, female on top!!!

SORRY

Jerry

[Mrs Ava]

;D

Just as a little asside...if you are growing Turks Turban, it can appear at first as though the end of the fruit is rotting, but this is all part of the strange squash inside a squash type appearance.

;D @ Jerry!  :o ;D