A friend of ours has trouble growing squash. The plants do fine, set blossoms and little squash, and then the 1"-2" squash fall off the plant. I haven't encountered this problem, and can't find anything about it in my gardening books. Can you help him? Why would the squash fall off, and what can he do to prevent it? I admit, I'm torn--first I really like the guy and want to help him, but then there's the thought that there is someone in the state that doesn't grow squash and is a possible donee of our overabundance . . . .
I know I've heard of this before. I just can't remember what I read. I've had this happen a couple of times. It's either female squash that don't get pollinated or male flowers dropping off. I forget which. Anyway the plant should still produce more fruit. Has he tried hand pollinating just in case. If it gets as hot where you are as it does here in the, then he may want to try an early and a late summer squash crop. Winter squash? You just have to sit it out and hope for the best.
Not many bugs out yet !! Its usually a pollination problem early in the season !! Mine frequently lose the first ones but as it warms the little critters that fly from flower to flower correct that problem !! Are his planted close enough to get some wind pollination ?? If not just hand pollinate for a couple of weeks !! One other thing,, too much water will also cause the squash to drop !! However that may not be a problem in Texas (we are bone dry) unless he is overwatering !!
I wonder MG, if his squashlets have turned yellow at all before falling off. Do they go soft first before falling off? Are the little fruitlets discoloured or deformed in any way? Without any more info than this, I could tell you that the most common reason of immature fruits falling off the plant is improper or no pollination (like Pricklypear was alluding to). I have this to some degree every year and it doesn't persist. You must remember that the purpose of a plant is to reproduce itself...so if a flower has not been properly pollinated, then it will simply shed a fruit that will not have seeds in it. Another possibility is that the plant may have blossom end rot. If it is a question of pollination then you can hope that as the season progresses, that the bee population will increase and find your plant. You could also make a little "bee hotel", by taking a large, thick block of wood and drilling lots of holes into it. Mason bees will inhabit these cells and if you place it near the the plants they will have easy access. You could take a Q-tip and pollinate them yourself if you become desperate. As for blossom end rot--the plant usually overcomes this in time; however, you may need to add some calcium to the soil around your plant to end the problem...Blossom end rot is in part due to a low level of calcium in the soil. One final remark: I have noted in the springs that were unusually dry, that I also had some fruitlet drop. It could have been for another reason, but I am not one that places a great deal of store in "coincidence". All this is taking for granted that your neighbour has already checked for the presence of disease, slugs etc.
has he tried manually pollenating the female flowers? I've been reading up on squashes and a lot of the books suggest taking the male flower and pollenating the female.
I've printed out all your replies, and will give them to him at church Sunday. I think you have nailed the problem--pollination. He lives surrounded by corn fields and there isn't much pollinator activity there! I'll also give him some of my stash of eggshells to scratch into the soil around his squash plants in case it is blossom end rot. He hasn't planted squash yet because he was so disgusted with the results (none) last year. He can still get some seed in the ground and we'll see if he can get some squash. Y'all are so helpful--thank you a bunch!
Just curious if those cornfields are sprayed with anything ?? Best thing would to have him buy a sixpack of the started squash ( I buy straightneck yellow) and plant seeds later, for a fall harvest. That would give him a six to eight week head start !! On the rare occassion that I hand pollinate I just use a soft artist brush and go from flower to flower with it !! Kind of mimics the bee activity !!
Mart, I can't swear to it, but I'd bet that the fields are sprayed. I have some squash in a six-pack that are extras, so I'll give them to him now, and then we can start some more later for the fall garden. Good suggestion! I'll also dig out an old artist's brush for him. We're gonna get that boy some squash, come hook or crook!
