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Rotting courgettes
Lyn Plant-Wells
Posts: 338
I have 2 courgette plants in my tiny veg plot and the majority of the veg are going brown on the tips before they are properly formed. I put membrane underneath in case it was due to them resting on the soil but it made no difference. I've had 2 normal courgettes so far despite numerous ones forming. The normal ones look more like tiny marrows than dark green courgettes. My friends in eastern France can't keep up with their yellow variety despite weather being 38 deg one week and theses the next with heavy rain. My neighbour here is having the same problem. I live near the south coast in Hampshire. Help!
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Courgettes always do that, I think they can't cope with so many forming unless they have a lot of water, so it's their way of natural selection. Mine eventually always give me too many anyway! But courgettes do look like tiny marrows. Some are dark green, some paler, some stripey, depends on the variety.
I think courgettes are marrows aren't they? If you let them grow they become marrows. Not 'like' marrows, actual marrows.
I had some of mine rotting at the flower end the year, but it turned out they weren't getting pollinated. Once I started hand pollinating they were ok. Had to get up before 8am though, as the female flowers shut up shop for the day really early.
They do become like marrows, but I believe they are actually 2 different varieties.
Ahhh I see
Thanks folks. I did wonder about pollination. My friend's yellow variety didn't have any of this problem. Think I will try them next year.
Lyn, could you tell me what this has to do with Dr Who, I am intrigued
It doesn't! That was meant for Facebook. I have no idea how it ended up on here! New iPad! Sorry.
I blame the Darleks
You need a Sonic Screwdriver 
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Yes spooky! Will check garden for Daleks/alien invasion!
A neighbour recommends removing flowers as courgettes develop to stop the rotting. Have done that in previous years, but forgot this year and have had no problems.