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What has happened to my courgette

daniel123daniel123 Posts: 67
in Fruit & veg
It is one of 8 and doing much worse than the others.


Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It could be one of several causes but it’s not well and probably not salvageable. I’d get it out to avoid the risk of it infecting the others. 

    The others look great 👍 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    We have grown a dozen or more outdoor courgettes every year for over 30 years now and nearly every year we have one or two plants that grow well in the small pots but die within a week or two of transplanting to the veg patch.  I don't know why, it just happens.  I sow more seeds than we need - we call it courgette wilt but I am sure there will be a scientific name for this occurrence. You still have 7 good plants Daniel and I can assure you there will be plenty of courgettes for you to pick!
  • daniel123daniel123 Posts: 67
    Now my courgettes have started rotting from the flower end. I haven't had any courgettes yet. This rotting wiped out the majority of my crop last year. About 6cm long.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    They’re probably not being pollinated ... when the weather warms up they’ll improve. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • daniel123daniel123 Posts: 67
    Could I hand polinate.?

    So can courgettes start growing before polination?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    You can hand pollinate ... info here https://kindling.org.uk/galleries/hand-pollination-courgettes

    i don't usually bother because usually by the time it’s warm enough for the courgette fruit to grow well there are plenty of insects around. However because of this cold snap it may be worthwhile trying. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    If the rotting ends were resting on wet soil that could explain their demise.  We have never had rotten courgettes, however we do raise our growing squash onto a slate or something similar to keep them from resting on wet soil - would that help to prevent your courgettes from rotting daniel?
  • daniel123daniel123 Posts: 67
    Guernsey Donkey2 said:
    If the rotting ends were resting on wet soil that could explain their demise.  We have never had rotten courgettes, however we do raise our growing squash onto a slate or something similar to keep them from resting on wet soil - would that help to prevent your courgettes from rotting daniel?
    That might make sense as a couple were planted not deep enough into the soil. So you can just rock them about
  • HelixHelix Posts: 631
    We have often had that problem early in the year, especially if weather cold and damp. It will clear up.  Hand pollinate if you want, and remove faded flowers once fruit starts to set, and make sure there is air circulation.  Some people swear by giving plant extra calcium and magnesium, but I’ve never bothered.
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