Zuccini (forum)

Geoff starts with ...
I live on the GoldCoast, Qld. Why do most of my zuccinnis rot from the flower end before they are large enough to harvest.I have had this problem with various types.

Time: 1st November 2009 2:26pm

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About the Author Geoff4
labrador, Gold coast
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Wayne says...
I've had the same problem this year Geoff,

ABC Gardening :-
"Q - Zucchinis are flowering & forming, but about 75% of the crop then dry off and shrink down at the tip.
A - This is Calcium deficiency apply Dolomite one clenched handful per sq metre around the root zone"

Some of mine were rotting, some were shrinking, I tried dolomite, mancozeb and different other sprays, cutting back on the water etc-etc and ended up pulling them out.

Time: 1st November 2009 5:51pm

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About the Author Wayne
Mackay QLD
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Diana says...
Hi Geoff and Wayne,

I have never succeeded in growing zucchinis in Brisbane either (I have lived in other places where they did grow OK). I have tried more compost, manure, dolomite, seaweed and fish spray and hand pollinating, but the female flowers always rot and fall off after they have hardly grown. My success rate with most pumpkins isn't that high either, last year only the butternuts got anywhere.

I think I have come to the conclusion that zucchinis are marginal in this climate, at least where I am.

Time: 1st November 2009 11:30pm

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Wayne says...
Hello Diana
I've not had trouble in the past and indeed the first crop this year was fine, I don't know what happened to make them go that way after that.

I have never had any success with pumpkins or melons, I reckon I'm just not very good at growing them.

Time: 2nd November 2009 7:19am

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Mackay QLD
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Brendan says...
Hi Wayne,
You were right a few posts back. As the 'guru' would say, 'your soils too sour, add dolomite around the root zone & water in'.

I'd add, give it some moo poo, & mulch around the root zone'

That should fix your problem:-)

Time: 2nd November 2009 9:06am

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About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q
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Geoff says...
I have tried a couple of varieties. Tried adding dolomite, trace elements and food.Also sulphate of potash.Theyre mulched with plenty of water. I am wondering if it is a pollination thing.That is, not getting pollinated.

Time: 8th November 2009 8:53am

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About the Author Geoff4
labrador, Gold coast
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amanda says...
Hey there - it's worth hand pollinating - then if the same thing happens you can rule that out. Blossom end rot can occur in conjunction with irregular watering. Make sure they never dry out as it affect calcium mobility in the plant.
If they are hand pollinated, fed, well supplied with calcium and never allowed to dry out and you still get the same problem - then it's likely your climate. Maybe there are varieties available better suited to the humidity?

PS - if it makes you feel any better - I had more melons and pumpkins last year than I knew what to do with - I ended up composting the lot cos they tasted bloody awful! They all got sunburnt! :( Ah well - maybe next year.

Time: 8th November 2009 1:28pm

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Original Post was last edited: 8th November 2009 1:35pm

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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Damo says...
I stopped blossom end rot with dolomite, the calcium in it made the cell walls strong.

Time: 8th November 2009 3:13pm

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