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Post by greeneyes on Oct 31, 2008 2:09:50 GMT -5
This summer i grew zucchini and pumpkin.I did not get even one from either of them.It seems they were all loaded with male blossoms,not a female in sight.Is this a pollination problem or just my bad luck to pick up packs of seeds that were never going to produce for me?What can I do to avoid this happening again?I can do without the pumpkin,but zucchini is a must- have.Thanks
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Post by canadamike on Oct 31, 2008 2:16:43 GMT -5
I don't know where you live, but many of us in the north of USA and here in southern canada (Ontario for me) had problems with squash. Only one plant gave me a minuscule production. Zukes where ok though, but not as usual. I would say plants were too stressed to produce fruits.
Where do you live?
And by the way, welcome to the family. If you need anything, seeds etc... JUST SAY IT.
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Post by grungy on Oct 31, 2008 4:50:16 GMT -5
Hi greeneyes, welcome to our assorted bunch of gardeners.
Here in southwestern BC, there was a shortage of female flowers on the squash, pumpkins and cucumbers. Most of the female blossoms (those that were) appeared late in the season. This occurred not only in my garden but through out the Creston Valley. I think that it had something to do with the weird year everyone seem to endure.
If you need tomato seeds, feel free to ask. Will be posting a 2008 listing soon.
Cheers
Val and Dan (grungy and grunt)
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Post by bunkie on Oct 31, 2008 8:11:50 GMT -5
welcome greeneyes! up here in eastern Washington we had similar problems with the female flowers on our winter squashes coming on very late. we had a very cold spring, snow and in the 30'sF towards the end of June!!! our zucchini/summer squash came on and produced very late too. i'm thinking of using row covers next year, if we have the same cold, to see if keeping them warmer helps.
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Post by greeneyes on Nov 2, 2008 3:10:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome here..I like this place!
Anyways,I am sorta glad(?)that I am not the only one who had problems with lack of female flowers....I'm in NW Indiana and the summer was not at all that great for growing anyways....Too much rain at some points,then very hot with high humidity,then storms that brought hail and wind damage....I'll try again this next season,but not pumpkins,growing season too short for them....I don't figure we will have a repeat of the summer that just passed so I am very optimistic...Thanks again for the welcome here...
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Post by flowerpower on Nov 2, 2008 4:39:56 GMT -5
Green Eyes, your growing season is not too short for pumpkins & winter squash. This yr was not a great one for squash, but normally they do very well in Indiana. Which variety of pumpkin did you try this yr?
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Nov 2, 2008 8:09:56 GMT -5
Welcome GreenEyes.
It was a rainy and cool season for much of the garden in my area. However, many of the gardeners in this area (zone 5-ish) had bumper crops of pumpkins. Prices were low for them this year as a result. Many places had a number of pumpkins left over after Halloween sales. Myself included, although my turkeys love to dine on raw pumpkin, so it's not an issue for me.
But I did find, that the field pumpkins out in full sun (when there was any) did far better than the variety of winter squash that I grew trellised on the fence by the garage. There was so little warmth when there was sunshine that the trellised variety only produced one squash. Mind you, it was a biggie!
Don't despair. I don't think I've had a better year for pumpkins here than this, and we've been in this house for 15 years. Next year, I could be like you and have none.
I
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Post by flowerpower on Nov 3, 2008 5:26:11 GMT -5
Don't despair. I don't think I've had a better year for pumpkins here than this, and we've been in this house for 15 years. Next year, I could be like you and have none. And last yr I had a bumper crop of squash. This yr I got one green pumpkin which I just left in the garden. And maybe 2 dozen small pear gourds. Last yr I had at least 200 gourds. I will be better prepared next season. |
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Post by greeneyes on Nov 5, 2008 22:02:12 GMT -5
flowerpower,you are right ,my season is not too short for pumpkins.What was I thinking???I tried the Connecticut field pumpkin,had 4 plants,all grew nicely,very healthy vines,loaded with beautiful blossoms but a no-show for baby pumpkins...Zucchini same thing..I really shouldn't let that discourage me from trying again...
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Post by grungy on Nov 15, 2008 4:15:50 GMT -5
Mike, wasn't there something about G. acid that promoted female flowers? Could you please fill us in?
Cheers,
val
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Post by canadamike on Nov 15, 2008 16:00:07 GMT -5
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Post by grungy on Nov 15, 2008 19:03:10 GMT -5
Thanks, Mike, much appreciated.
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Post by swisscharrd on Nov 26, 2008 14:07:42 GMT -5
Man you just never know, my squash and pumpkins did super- and I am in Washington.
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