courgette problems

[sdgtiger]

Hi all,

Well my courgettes have started lovely and with the three plants ive got we are getting between 15 to 20 courgettes per week!!
The variety is F1 defender.
However in the last 3 days bright yellow spots have appeared over the lower leaves which eventually turn completely yellow!
This problem has manifested itself on my giant sunflowers at the other end of the garden as well. Can anyone enlighten me on what it might be?
Ive a feeling it could be mosaic virus but as a newbie to all this not quite sure.

Many thanks

simon

[Demeter]

Hi Simon - welcome to the vine. I'm a newbie too, so I dunno, but wondered whether it might be some sort of deficiency? A few people have posted with yellow leaves on their plants and magnesium deficiency apparently causes that, in which case spraying the leaves with Epsom salt solution should fix it. Are you able to post a picture?

[amandaandherveg]

I'm a newbie too, so sorry don't have an answer, but I just had to comment on you 15 - 20 courgettes a week froom 3 plants, eek!!!! I have 9 plants and there's only two of us, I think I may have got carried away.

[Alice]

Welcome to the Vine Simon.
Your courgettes are going great guns.
I can't tell you why they are producing yellow leaves - and I think you'll get as many opinions as you get answers.
I would say as long as they are producing fruit it doesn't matter what the leaves are like.
They do tend to flower themselves to death half way through summer so I usually plant a couple a month after my first sowing to replace the exhausted ones. It's easier than trying to revive the ones that have fruited themselves to a standstill.

[sdgtiger]

Your courgettes are going great guns.
I can't tell you why they are producing yellow leaves - and I think you'll get as many opinions as you get answers.
I would say as long as they are producing fruit it doesn't matter what the leaves are like.
They do tend to flower themselves to death half way through summer so I usually plant a couple a month after my first sowing to replace the exhausted ones. It's easier than trying to revive the ones that have fruited themselves to a standstill.

Many thanks to all for the advice. I will just let them get on with it at the mo, as theyre still producing loads. All new growth is ok so hopefully they'll carry on as they are.
Getting a tad sick of courgette though will have to start making chutney

[sewer rat]

I think your plants are just doing what plants do - the old growth is dying off and being replaced by fresh new growth. As Alice says, if they are still producing, don't worry - I have seen veg plants (courgettes, tomatoes and cucumber spring to mind) which you would consign to the compost bin immediately if it wasn't for the fact that they were still dripping with fruit !