Assuming you are sure it is fruit abortion and not BER then evaluate the other possible causes of fruit abortion - excessively hot daytime temperatures, plant stress from improper watering, lack of nutrients, too much nitrogen, etc.

I'd also suggest doing your hand pollination with the male blossom directly rather than a Q-tip. Much more effective without the middle-man effects.

Dave

How can I tell the difference? And thanks for the tip about using the male flower directly. Didn't even think about that.

How can I tell the difference?

Aborted fruit are tiny, perhaps 1-2" max. Fruit with BER are larger (3-4"+) and often appear to be growing normally on first inspection and then they die.

Dave

Hello Anne,

The make flowers will have no baby on the stem under the flower! Here's some pics though:

https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0LEVzYhiq1TfkgAlZFXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTB0OGxtNWtwBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1NNRTQyMV8x?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-901&va=Pictures+of+male+squash+flower

Remember that 1 male flower can pollinate tons of female flowers. You don't need to rip out all the male buds!!

Lori

Here is a link that might be useful: Male squash flower pictures

Edit for above: it's MALE flowers- not "make" flowers!!

Good point. I assumed she was asking about telling the difference between BER and fruit abortion.

Dave