Courgette problems

[heidifuss]

Hi there - Hoping you can shed some light for me...
Have grown Courgettes for a couple of years with no probs (didn't grow any last year)

Unfortunately - had some early slug damage http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...milies/mad.gif
- but they recovered well. Then recently noticed that fruit not reaching maturity. Some shrivel up with a slightly yellowed skin. Others get to about 3 inches and rot from flower end - can't see any mildew.http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...s/confused.gif


Also there are some silvery patches on the leaves (not mildew - but inside the leaf). The smallish patches are each on a vein - so the overall effect are silvery speckled leaves.http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...s/confused.gif


Next door the butternut squah aren't doing too well either - younger leaves are yellowing and all leaves don't look very healthy.

I would be grateful for any help.

Thank you in advance
Heidi

[Gwen11ian]

My courgettes have been rotting from flower end as soon as the blossom closes after fertilization as well. Hopefully someone has some suggestions.

[tootles]

I have had a few like this too. I would suggest that these are not being fertilised and that is why they are dying off. I have had these chaps on plants which have then been followed by perfectly healthy specimens. If it isn't happeneing to them all - I wouldn't worry too much.

[SarzWix]

What's the weather been like? I found my courgettes were doing this last year, when it was so wet and grey for weeks on end. I put a polythene cloche over one of the plants, with the ends removed for ventilation, and it seemed to do a lot better with some protection and a bit of extra warmth. Maybe you could try that? Also, are you feeding them? They are quite greedy, and a tomato feed should help them to develop more fruits, especially if a lot of rain has been washing away the nutrition from the soil?

[busylizzie]

This is my first year growing courgettes, so I can't really help but... you are not alone!

Mine have exactly the silvery speckled leaves that you describe too. I've had one 'proper' courgette (off three plants) and a couple of funny ones - they tend to swell at the stem end but not at the flower end so I end up with oddly shaped ones. I guess that might be inconsistent watering? But really I've been disappointed with the results so far, I was expecting great things from three courgette plants. One seems to only have produced male flowers so far too. Oh well, try again next year!

[Demeter]

There has been a thread recently about courgettes rotting.
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tes_20317.html

And another one talking about pale / silver leaves etc
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ase_20428.html

Hard to say without seeing it (can you post pics) but nothing you've described sounds like a definite problem, i.e. could be normal. Stick with it, they'll come good in the end!

(PS we had one of those with a swollen base and a slender flower-end the other day, tasted alright though, and the others have all been fine! Don't think it was anything to do with watering in our case, I think inconsistent watering may be more likely to lead to splitting than funny shapes?? Dunno though.)

[sarahspatch]

I found the first few cougettes that were produced rotted away, then the following ones were fine - I think it said something in this months Grow your Own about it-think it was Anne swithenbank, who says she finds the first few never do too well, then they go crazy!

So I wouldn't worry yet - you'll probably be wondering what to do with them all in no time!

[heidifuss]

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply.

The weather has been pretty rubbish so far - not really a lot of anything (rain or sun or heat).

The general gist seems to be that they prob will be OK - so hopefully they will - I will let you know.

I would post pictures - but having trouble with the camera as well!!!

Thanks again
Heidi

[lzyjo]

It sounds like blossom end rot. I had the same problem last year due to the poor quality soil. Lime adds calcium. Quick lime, dolomite, and eggshells are all sources of calcium that can be used in the garden. A soil test maybe a good idea, if that service is offered in your area.

[SueA]

I think the damp windy weather has probably had something to do with it but quite often the first few courgettes don't develop properly & then suddenly they'll get going O.K. & you'll be inundated with them. Having said that last year mine never did get going due to all the rain!

[Winged one]

And perhaps, if there is a chance they are not getting pollinated, you could do that by hand, which might help with the end rot problem.

[heidifuss]

Well just returned from weekend away - and they are now flying along. So it probably was that due to lack of sunshine/heat they weren't being pollinated.

Very happy now. Courgette bake here I come!

Thanks for your good advice

[DavidA]

Seems like an old thread, but I'll give it a go anyway.

How are you all doing with your courgettes this year ?

Mine were fine (in greenhouse) until the fruit started to appear. Not they are rotting and the leafs are turning grey.

I have put this down to the very low average temperature and average low light we have been having.

How about you ?

David.

P.s I'm in West Yorkshire.