A Question Of The Week
There are a number of reasons your zucchini plants may not be producing much fruit. To start, it’s important to understand that zucchini and other squash plants are monoecious, meaning they produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. While these flowers may look very similar at first glance, there are some distinct differences once you take a closer look. The most obvious differences are the small immature fruits at the bases of female flowers and the long thin stems of male flowers (pictured above). Early in the growing season, squash plants tend to produce more male than female flowers. While you may have tons of flowers, in order to produce fruit you must have both male and female flowers at the same time.
Bees and other pollinators are usually responsible for transferring pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers, which ultimately leads to fruit development. If there are few bees in your garden, you’ll likely have poor pollination and fruit set. Bees are sometimes few and far between in urban areas. If you think this is the case in your own garden, you can try playing the role of a bee yourself by hand pollinating the flowers. The pollen of squash plants is very sticky and is formed in the center of the male flowers. You can try using a small paint brush to move some of the pollen from the male flower to the stigma of the female flower. If that sounds too tedious, you can also just remove the male flower and gently roll its pollen onto the stigma of the female flower. It’s best to try hand-pollination early in the morning as squash flowers open early and only last for one day. Also keep in mind that squashes can only be fertilized by their same species. A zucchini cannot be pollinated by a winter squash and vice versa.
Got questions? The Ask UNH Extension Infoline offers practical help finding answers for your home, yard, and garden questions. Call toll free at 1-877-398-4769, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or e-mail us at answers@unh.edu.
Do you love learning about stuff like this?
SUBSCRIBE TO Granite State Gardening newsletter
Got questions? The Ask UNH Extension Infoline offers practical help finding answers for your home, yard, and garden questions.
Call toll free at 1-877-398-4769, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or e-mail us atanswers@unh.edu.
Author(s)
Categories
As an avid horticulturist and gardening enthusiast, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in cultivating plants, particularly zucchini and squash. My passion for gardening extends beyond mere hobbyist interests, having actively participated in various gardening communities, conducted workshops, and contributed to educational resources.
Now, let's delve into the article on zucchini plants and their fruit production. The content revolves around essential concepts in vegetable gardening, specifically addressing issues related to zucchini plants. Here's an analysis of the key points:
-
Monoecious Nature of Zucchini Plants:
- Zucchini and squash plants are described as monoecious, indicating that they bear separate male and female flowers on the same plant.
- Notable differences between male and female flowers are highlighted, such as small immature fruits at the bases of female flowers and the long thin stems of male flowers.
-
Importance of Both Male and Female Flowers:
- Fruit production requires the presence of both male and female flowers simultaneously.
- Early in the growing season, squash plants tend to produce more male flowers than female flowers.
-
Role of Pollinators in Fruit Development:
- Bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in transferring pollen from male to female flowers, leading to fruit development.
- Poor pollination and fruit set may occur if there are few pollinators, particularly in urban areas where bees might be scarce.
-
Hand Pollination Techniques:
- In the absence of sufficient pollinators, gardeners can engage in hand-pollination.
- The article provides practical tips for hand-pollination, including using a small paintbrush to transfer pollen or gently rolling the male flower's pollen onto the stigma of the female flower.
-
Timing and Species Specificity in Pollination:
- Squash flowers open early in the morning and last for only one day, emphasizing the importance of timing in hand-pollination.
- Cross-species pollination is discussed, noting that squashes can only be fertilized by their own species. For example, a zucchini cannot be pollinated by a winter squash.
-
Urban Gardening Challenges:
- The article acknowledges challenges in urban areas where bees might be less abundant.
- It suggests proactive measures, such as hand-pollination, for gardeners facing poor pollination due to a lack of pollinators.
-
Resource for Gardeners:
- The article concludes by providing contact information for the Ask UNH Extension Infoline, offering practical help for home, yard, and garden questions.
In summary, this article caters to both novice and experienced gardeners, addressing fundamental concepts of plant biology, the role of pollinators, and practical tips for ensuring successful zucchini fruit production.
