Producing in mid-summer
Zucchini and other soft-skinned summer squashes are usually very easy to grow. But, gardeners sometimes face struggles with these productive crops. Have your vines stopped producing in mid-summer? Or are the fruits small or deformed? Or did your plants die before producing any fruit? If you've been asking yourself why you've had zucchini growing problems in your garden, this solution guide is for you.
Top 10 Problems of Growing Zucchini
Here are ten reasons why you've had problems growing zucchini in the past, and tips to make sure these problems don't happen again.
Zucchini Problem 1: Improper variety selection.
Not all zucchini varieties perform the same. Some are more productive than others, and some are disease and pest-resistant. First, when choosing zucchini varieties for your garden, look for disease and pest resistance as much as possible. Varieties with higher levels of natural resistance often perform better and produce longer. 'Tiger', 'Green Machine', 'Burby Golden Glory' and 'Yellow Fin' are good choices.
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Pumpkin Problem 2: Pumpkin vine borers.
One of the problems with growing zucchini is a pest called the squash vine borer. Mature vine borers are black and red diurnal moths with dark wings. They fly fast, so gardeners don't often find them. However, the damage caused by their larvae is hard to miss. Squash vine borer larvae feed inside the plant's main stem, hollowing it out and eventually causing plant death. You'll find crumbled, sawdust-like waste collected below a small hole at the base of the plant. To prevent squash vine borers, protect the lower part of the stems by wrapping them in aluminum foil (more on this technique here), or cover the plants with floating row cover until they flower, to prevent female moths from laying eggs. sites.
Zucchini Problem 3: Poor Pollination.
Zucchini and other squash are insect pollinated, meaning that a bee, beetle, or other pollinator is needed to move the pollen from a single male flower to a female flower. If there are not enough pollinators, small or deformed fruits are the result. If your zucchini is stunted and stubborn at the end of the bloom, poor pollination is the most pressing of your zucchini growing problems. Plant plenty of flowering herbs and annuals in and around your zucchini patch to improve pollination rates. You can hand-pollinate vines using a paintbrush or your fingertips to transfer pollen from male to female flowers (how to hand-pollinate here). Another option is to plant a parthenocarpic variety that does not require pollination to set fruit, such as 'Espic Gold', 'Partenon', or 'Cavly'.
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Zucchini Problem 4: Powdery mildew.
Powdery mildew is one of the most prevalent fungal diseases when it comes to vine crops like zucchini. These pathogen leaves are covered with a coating like talcum powder. Although this is primarily an aesthetic issue, severe cases can lead to reduced photosynthesis and reduced production. To deal with powdery mildew, space plants properly - give each a lot of room to circulate air and dry wet foliage. To combat one of the most stubborn zucchini growing problems, powdery mildew, plant only resistant cultivars such as 'Anton', 'Tanja', 'Ostia' and 'Emerald Delight'. Organic fungicides based on potassium bicarbonate (such as Green Cure and Bicarb) and those based on Bacillus subtilis (such as Serenade) act as deterrents.
Zucchini Problem 5: Squash bugs.
When it comes to pests that attack squash, squash bugs are less difficult to control than squash bugs. These shield-shaped, brown insects suck up plant sap with their needle-like mouthparts, causing blisters, yellowing, and browning on leaves. The best way to manage squash bugs is to visit the garden every day and inspect the top and bottom of your zucchini leaves for clusters of bronze-colored, football-shaped eggs. Squash bugs are resistant to most insecticides, but very young nymphs can be controlled with applications of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Read more about how to get rid of squash bugs in this article. Our guide to vegetable garden pests also has more information about this pest.
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Zucchini Problem 6: Poor Soil.
Zucchini does not require overly nutrient-rich soil, but it does best in soil with a high organic matter content, with a soil pH of 6.5. If your pH is too far from target, plants may not produce quality fruit because soil pH affects the availability of various nutrients (more on soil pH here). By limiting the amount of nitrogen you add to your garden, you can prevent many soil-related zucchini growing problems. Too much nitrogen produces lots of green leaves, often at the expense of good fruit production. Use only balanced, organic fertilizers in your zucchini patch, and test your soil every few years to make sure it's healthy and balanced.
Zucchini Problem 7: Lack of water.
Zucchini growing problems can also be caused by erratic soil moisture levels. If plants are allowed to dry out between waterings, fruit production will be negatively affected. Drought stress is never good for vegetable crops, and zucchini needs consistent, consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season. If Mother Nature isn't providing your garden with at least an inch of water per week, it's your job to add extra watering to prevent potential problems. A 2-3 inch thick layer of mulch helps stabilize soil moisture and reduces the need for watering during the hot summer months. More information on proper mulching techniques can be found here.
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