Need advice on struggling zucchini . . .

Judge Kemp 5/20/2010, 10:49 pm

My zucchini, started with store transplants, really seem to be struggling. They're yellowish green at this point and don't look to be growing as quickly as I'd expect. They're not in my SFG, but instead are in a landscaping bed I had tomatoes in last year. Those tomatoes did well.

Does this sound like a nutrient issue to the experts out there? I've got some Miracle Gro Organic Choice Fertilizer I could add (and will add). Does this sound like it should do the trick?

Also--to add fertilizer to plants already in the ground would I be better to dissolve in water and pour in or sprinkle on the ground, or try to rake it into the top inch or two of soil hoping I don't damage the roots?

Thanks!

Judge Kemp 5/20/2010, 11:07 pm

Here is a pic I uploaded of the zucchini!

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Need advice on struggling zucchini . . . Dsc_0019

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**timwardell** 5/20/2010, 11:14 pm

Hmm... the photo looks like a relatively healthy plant to me.

But to answer your question, assuming there haven't been any cold snaps it sounds like it could be a nutrient issue - most likely a lack of nitrogen. If you already have some fertilizer I suggest you read and follow the label directions when applying. You should notice an improvement within a few days.

Chopper 5/20/2010, 11:15 pm

I would read the label on the fertilizer and see what it recommends. Most of my miracle grow ones dissolve in water and are ok on the leaves - I use a watering can. If you still have some, I would add compost around the base of the plant too. You will know within a week whether that is helping or not.

Also, look it up online. A lot of places have pictures that correspond to common problems so you can see what is the most likely culprit.

Judge Kemp 5/20/2010, 11:25 pm

thanks guys. This pic was from 2 days ago and it seems to have gotten a lighter color these last two days. Getting more pale and yellow. I did compost around it when I planted--even non-SFG I tried to build up what was already pretty built up soil in the box.

I'll check the label and think about a little dose of the Organic Choice.

The rest of my garden seems to be doing well. Here are my three SFG beds:

Need advice on struggling zucchini . . . Dsc_0011

and

Need advice on struggling zucchini . . . Dsc_0016

And. my gardening helper, who does more work than his two big brothers combined:

Need advice on struggling zucchini . . . P1060310

Chopper 5/20/2010, 11:28 pm

Great looking beds and cute son!

Judge Kemp 5/21/2010, 12:25 am

Chopper wrote:Great looking beds and cute son!

Thanks Chopper and thanks for your guidance on the boards!

You (and Tim and Boffer and others!) have answered more than one question I've had on these boards--even if some other poster was the one doing the asking!

plb 5/21/2010, 8:13 am

The plant doesn't look too bad, but if it's getting worse it's obviously not a good sign...
Zucchini need a ton of water and are very heavy feeders. I heard of a few people growing them directly on compost heaps! Maybe the tomatoes left the soil a bit too poor? In which case, fertilising regularly and lots of water should help. Make sure you don't get water on the leaves, and possibly not directly on the stem either since they can get stem rot.
Another problem could be cold weather; zucchini have very low tolorance for cold, so if the weather was not reliably warm that could have caused the problem.

**timwardell** 5/21/2010, 10:09 am

Great pics Judge Kemp. Who says you can't garden on a slope! Very Happy

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