[Arid_gardener] Re: Squash Pollination

[Olin Miller]

----- Original Message ----- From: <pspoulos at citlink.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 1:11 PM
> why is our zuccini blossoming; but does not produce fruit?
> We live in Lake Havasu, AZ
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It is probably a problem with poor pollination which could be a result of
trying to grow squash in a season that is too cool, a lack of honeybees, or
the plants being in a location that is not attractive to bees. Summer
squashes are a warm season vegetable that can be successful in the fall if
planted before Labor Day and planted in a location where the plants receive
morning sun.  Bees are most active in the morning and tend to avoid shaded
areas as the weather cools.  We always grow yellow crooknecks that require
culture similar to zucchinis.  Last fall we had a great crop in a morning
sunny location with lots of honeybees.  This fall the plants were in a
location that is shaded in the morning until about 11:00 Am.  I never saw
any bees on the squash but the bees were plentiful in the morning on the
fairy dusters in the front yard.  Our squashes set fruit okay but never
developed.

For the best planting time for your region, refer to the planting schedule
in the Master Gardener Manual at
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/vegetable/regions13.html#1-3
or
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/vegetable/regions46.html#4-6

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer, Maricopa County AZ