My zucchini and and spaghetti squash plants are thriving. The leaves are full and lush. The spaghetti squash is growing out of control. There's a ton of non-pollinated flowers. And some zucchini and squash are growing.

My problem is that after a few days of growing and looking wonderful, the zucchini and the squash start to wilt and soften and just rot on the vine.

Any idea why this is? I really want to harvest some of them.

Here's what you need to do: pick off a 'male' flower (the one without the zucchini-shaped bulge beneath it), strip off the petals, and stick the stamen right down inside the pistils of the female flower (this is the one with the zucchini-shaped bulge beneath it). One 'male' flower should work for quite a few 'female' flowers. If the terminology is confusing, check Wikipedia or have a look around the web for some diagrams the male and female bits of squash flowers- once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy.

Let us know if this works, because if it's not pollination it could be some other issue. But with squash, my instinct is always to try hand-pollinating before deciding it's some other problem.

Check the posts for anything having to do with squash, pumpkins, etc. I don't remember the name of the post! I'm so sorry!

Once you find the post, scroll down and there's a link with full instructions. I'll look around and see if I can find it for you. LC Grace

I found it for you! I don't know to add a link to the post but you should be able to put the above info into your "search" or address line and bring it up. Good luck!! LC Grace

Here are some examples.

I hope that helps.

Good luck.

Randy

Someone else had posted that you can try and cut back some of the large leaves around the male flowers to help the bees find then. I have done that also and it does help.

what about desert heat?.. i am extreme zone 9.

Thanks everyone!

Rodney