Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Leicester_H]

Dear all,

 

I have this squash in a large (15") pot.

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/Vegetable-Seeds-1/Summer_2/Squash-Rolet-Seeds.html

 

Seems healthy, lots of flowers but none seemed to have formed fruit - any ideas why ?

I assume they form like cucumbers, courgettes etc. - behind the flowers - is this correct ?

 

Any advice appreciated, H

[Beantree]

We grew something similar on our chicken poo compost heap LeicesterH. I suspect the problem is due to a lack or insufficiency of a required element in the compost in your pot. You could try tomato plant feed, which we used to put on our cucumbers when the flowers yellowed and fell without producing fruit.

[sjp]

yes female flowers have the little fruits behind the flowers, male flowers have long stems no fruit. is more likely to be a pollination problem especially if you've only got one plant and no male flowers. I've got my cues and melons in pots none have been fed yet but they have got fruit on them but I've got a mix of varieties and types so plus a couple of ornamental gourds that haven't been planted out yet that have male flowers on them so they've acted as the pollinators

pollinators can be nearly any of the squash/gourd family as long as they produce male flowers

[Olly]

Male flowers are formed first, you need both types to get fruits of course - it could be the first flowers were just all male and female ones will come along. [how to identify

 

Production of the different types flowers can be affected by nutrients/heat, if you've only got male flowers then I'd suspect lack of water could be the problem. I usually sink a small flowerpot next to the courgette so I can get water down there without making the leaves wet.

[Leicester_H]

Thanks all.

I do just have the one plant and none of the others survived.

It does look like they're all male flowers.

The cucumbers and courgettes are doing OK - so assume soil is OK.

I don't think water should be the problem - but who knows !

 

This gardening lark is complicated !!!

 

H

[sjp]

as long as the courgette as a male flower or two at the same time as the squash you should get a squash or two

[Leicester_H]

as long as the courgette as a male flower or two at the same time as the squash you should get a squash or two

 

OK - that's good news - courgette does have male flowers - will leave it where it is and cross fingers!

 

H

[sjp]

as long as the courgette as a male flower or two at the same time as the squash you should get a squash or two

 

OK - that's good news - courgette does have male flowers - will leave it where it is and cross fingers!

 

H

I should have said as your squash has female flowers

[chickencam]

Mine are a mixed bag this year, some of the pumpkins are going mad whilst others are just existing. The courgettes are the same, some have aphids and are struggling whilst others are producing big fruit quickly. I have three late yellow varieties that I hope will give me a late crop.