With all the rain lately, I'm sure the beginner gardeners are scratching their heads when it comes to summer squash. For the most part, it is probably forming, growing a little, and then dying off. Does that sound right? If not this year, maybe in years past? Well one reason could be is that they aren't pollinating. You know, male - female - that whole thing. We all learned about it in fifth grade or maybe it was sixth? Regardless, the answer, most likely is the rain is washing it all away.
Ok, let me explain - I'll start by telling you the difference between the male and female blossoms. The female blossom has a little squash forming directly behind the blossom (That is the ovary) The male blossom just has a stalk behind the blossom. If the ovary isn't pollinated by the male, it will fall off. (It's always seems to be the male's fault, doesn't it???)
So how do you play cupid? Take a small paintbrush to the garden in the morning, preferably before 10am. Locate the male flower and and gather some pollen by brushing the stamen, which is in the center of the flower (You should see the yellow pollen on the brush.) Then make your way over to the female and brush the pollen on the pistil in the center of the flower. There you go. You have just done your job in the love garden.
Some other factors to mention while growing summer squash. They love the sunlight. If they are not getting enough, they will protest by not producing fruit. Also, they are also fair weathered friends. Extreme temperatures (below 55 or above 85 while the plant is flowering) can also affect the plant's ability to produce fruit.
Good luck.
Ok, let me explain - I'll start by telling you the difference between the male and female blossoms. The female blossom has a little squash forming directly behind the blossom (That is the ovary) The male blossom just has a stalk behind the blossom. If the ovary isn't pollinated by the male, it will fall off. (It's always seems to be the male's fault, doesn't it???)
So how do you play cupid? Take a small paintbrush to the garden in the morning, preferably before 10am. Locate the male flower and and gather some pollen by brushing the stamen, which is in the center of the flower (You should see the yellow pollen on the brush.) Then make your way over to the female and brush the pollen on the pistil in the center of the flower. There you go. You have just done your job in the love garden.
Some other factors to mention while growing summer squash. They love the sunlight. If they are not getting enough, they will protest by not producing fruit. Also, they are also fair weathered friends. Extreme temperatures (below 55 or above 85 while the plant is flowering) can also affect the plant's ability to produce fruit.
Good luck.
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