zucchinis ends rotting and slow going seedlings

Andreaaa 5/15/2012, 9:26 pm

I could really use some advice.. I have some kale seeds, beet seeds, and watermelon seedlings that I planted directly into my 4x4 sfg like the book says to do, but they don't seem to be doing very well.. The days are hot here in menifee, so some of the seedlings will just die off, and the ones that havent died just arent doing much growing.. Is it just too hot to plant them directly outdoors already? It's been almost 90 degrees here. I also have a big, established zucchini plant, and all the little zucchini's on it end up getting a type of blossom end rot.. the flower end turns yellow and then starts to shrivel up.. Can anyone give me some advice please??

Lindacol 5/15/2012, 10:24 pm

Andreaaa wrote:I could really use some advice.. I have some kale seeds, beet seeds, and watermelon seedlings that I planted directly into my 4x4 sfg like the book says to do, but they don't seem to be doing very well.. The days are hot here in menifee, so some of the seedlings will just die off, and the ones that havent died just arent doing much growing.. Is it just too hot to plant them directly outdoors already? It's been almost 90 degrees here. I also have a big, established zucchini plant, and all the little zucchini's on it end up getting a type of blossom end rot.. the flower end turns yellow and then starts to shrivel up.. Can anyone give me some advice please??

I planted my watermelon & kale inside & have transplanted to the garden and they are doing fine. My weather is close to the same as yours.

Here is some good info on blossom end rot.

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/tomato/2000082444023571.html

**walshevak** 5/15/2012, 10:40 pm

Is it possible the little zukes are not getting pollinated? That will cause the little female blossom with the tiny pre zuke to shrivel up. Just a thought.

Kay

Andreaaa 5/15/2012, 10:59 pm

I don't think that's its a pollination issue because the zukes are longer than my middle finger when it happens. I am using the SFG Mel's mix that comes all ready to use from Lowe's. I haven't added any additional compost to the soil since I planted, maybe that's why? It seems like it could be a calcium deficiency. I am able to get my hands on mushroom compost easily, would that provide a lot of nutrients?

GWN 5/15/2012, 11:08 pm

I don't think that's its a pollination issue because the zukes are longer than my middle finger when it happens.

That is how big they are when they REALIZE silly me

OMG.... I did NOT get fertilized.... WHOOPS!
Now I need to quit growing.

It DOES look totally like blossom rot.

Chopper 5/15/2012, 11:19 pm

What is happening to the zucchini sounds normal. And it should solve itself as the plant puts out more male flowers.

I am in Murrieta and it should not be too hot for you seedlings. That said, I keep mine pretty wet until they have some true leaves. Otherwise they can be a tad touchy and die easily in the heat. They should not be lagging so much. The evenings and mornings are still cool. I find mine do not stop growing, or suffer from the heat until it stays hot all day and night and even then they manage, just slower.

sceleste54 5/16/2012, 12:51 am

Squash loves heat... its that whole male flower thing going on... the female flowers will have a tiny squash looking fruit at the base...the male flowers dont have one... when you have both a "pregnant female" looking flower and a "male" looking flower.. take a watercolor type brush and try to transfer some pollen from the male flower to the female...you will get some squash !!

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