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- Q.Squash/Cucumber Cross Pollination - I just read your atricle about squash not being able to cross pollinate cucumbers. Not to be argumentive, but you ...
- Q.Puny Squash Plants - Our squash plants this year are kind of pathetic looking. They seem small, not thriving like some of our friends' ...
- Q.Squash Blossoms - I have planted green squash (they are in huge patio planters and get full sun each day) and have grown ...
- Q.Squash Flower - Can the flower be removed from female stem before the vegetable is fully grown?
- Q.What Is Chewing My Squash Leaves? - I came back from a two week vacation and my squash had grown wonderfully; however, some of the leaves were ...
- Q.Summer Squash Leaves Turning Yellow - Summer squash lower leaves turning yellow and stems breaking near leaf. Could this be over watered? Cucurbits?
- Q.Death Of Female Squash Blossoms - I have a mature planting of winter squash, but on 35 plants only 2 large squash! The reason is no ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
July 12, 2011Q.Squash/Cucumber Cross Pollination
I just read your atricle about squash not being able to cross pollinate cucumbers. Not to be argumentive, but you are incorrect, I have the vegetables right now, my cucumber plant is producing squash shaped vegetables that are colored in between a cucumber and squash. Cut into one and the smell is just like a cucumber, but the taste is sour. I have pictures and still have two of the vegetables whole. But it is possible, I spoke with NC State and the farmers extension today. Although strange, they are in the same family.
Answered by
Nikki on
July 12, 2011
Certified ExpertA.Cucumbers and squash are in the curcubit family, but they cannot cross pollinate. It is like humans and monkeys. Same basic family, but not compatible. Here is an article from the Iowa Extension Service on why it can't happen: https://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/node/981
Now, there are cucumbers that look and taste as you describe. One that comes to mind is a Mexican Sour Cucumber. You may have a mislabled plant or seed in your garden that was mislabled by the company that sold it to you.
Additionally, they may be under pollinated cucumbers. Some of the seeds get pollinated while others do not. It means one side fills out, while the other side does not. This article explains more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/deformed-cucumbers.htmWas this answer useful?00
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
July 12, 2011Q.Puny Squash Plants
Our squash plants this year are kind of pathetic looking. They seem small, not thriving like some of our friends' plants. We garden in a large raised bed, and have happy looking tomatoes in there as well. Our beans got a slow start too, with smaller plants resulting. There are no visible bugs or disease markers - just sad looking, puny plants. Our summer heat has started late, and is cooler than normal so far. But since others in the area seem to have happy plants, I don't know what to think. Any ideas?
- Answered by
Nikki on
July 13, 2011
Certified ExpertA.I would suspect that the spot where the squash is has a lack of nitrogen. Squash are nitrogen hogs and need more nitrogen than most other vegetables, so there is probably enough nitrogen for the other plants but not for the squash. This article may help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/nitrogen-plant-fertilizer.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 12, 2011Q.Squash Blossoms
I have planted green squash (they are in huge patio planters and get full sun each day) and have grown quite well until now. The plants have grown big, yellow beautiful blossoms, then they turn brown and fall off without bearing any vegetable at all. I water and tend the plants everyday to no avail. By the way, ALL my squash plants are doing this, not just one. HELP!!!!
- Answered by
Nikki on
July 13, 2011
Certified ExpertA.This is typical behavior for a squash plant. They will produce mostly male (non-fruiting) blossoms early in the season and will gradually start to produce more female blossoms as the season progresses. Give it some time and you will see it start fruiting.
If you are seeing fruit but they are falling off, this article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/zucchini/zucchini-fruit-fall-off-the-plant-before-they-are-full-grown.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Answered by
Rickedie on
July 13, 2011A.You may need to do manual pollenation. I did this on the first flowers I had and then they started growing fruit better.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 13, 2011Q.Squash Flower
Can the flower be removed from female stem before the vegetable is fully grown?
- Answered by
Nikki on
July 14, 2011
Certified ExpertA.Once it is apparent that the fruit is growing, you can remove the flower, but the flower should fall off on its own so you don't really need to do this.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Doreend on
July 13, 2011Q.What Is Chewing My Squash Leaves?
I came back from a two week vacation and my squash had grown wonderfully; however, some of the leaves were wilted. It looks as though they had been chewed just beyond where the leaf leaves the vine. I did see a couple of little tiny green bugs that look like tiny caterpillars, and I have a strange looking spider that has taken up residence nearby. The spider is long and narrow with black and yellow stripes. Do you have any suggestions?
- Answered by
Becca062 on
July 13, 2011A.This may be helpful:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/squash-pests-identifying-and-preventing-squash-vine-borer.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
brenda on
July 14, 2011Q.Summer Squash Leaves Turning Yellow
Summer squash lower leaves turning yellow and stems breaking near leaf. Could this be over watered? Cucurbits?
- Answered by
Heather on
July 18, 2011
Certified ExpertA.This could be either over watered or under watered. Both will cause this. It could also be a lack of nutrients.
They should be getting at least 2-4 inches of water a week but there should not be standing water around the plants.
If you have not fertilized and did not amend the soil at the beginning of the season, some additional nutrients may be helpful.
This article will go over some other reasons plants can get yellow leaves:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-leaves-turn-yellow.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 14, 2011Q.Death of Female Squash Blossoms
I have a mature planting of winter squash, but on 35 plants only 2 large squash! The reason is no female blossoms! What chemical will promote female blossoms?
- Answered by
Nikki on
July 15, 2011
Certified ExpertA.There is not anything you can really add to make more female flowers. I think the only reasonable piece of advice I have heard that might work is to be diligent about removing male blossoms in the early season (they can be cooked actually and are considered a delicacy). This, in theory, encourages more blooming and more chances for female blooms.
Was this answer useful?00 - Answered by
doccat5 on
July 15, 2011A.Normally, squash start producing more male than female blossoms early in the season. For winter squash it's still early. Be patient, the male blossoms will fall off but the plants will continue to produce more blossoms. Btw the male blossoms make wonderful stuffed squash blooms, which are yummy so they don't go to waste.
doccat5
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