The zucchini are growing, but there is no fruit - why?

Zucchini isn't a fussy crop. They're easy to grow, requiring little attention or complex farming techniques. However, even growing this vegetable can sometimes present challenges. One such issue is poor fruiting.

Reasons why zucchini bear fruit poorly

Poor zucchini growth and lack of fruit set can be caused by a variety of reasons. A characteristic of zucchini is that the first flowers to appear on the plant are male flowers, which do not produce fruit. Only after some time do the female flowers appear, which are responsible for a bountiful harvest. Therefore, if you don't see any fruit set, don't jump to conclusions; instead, wait a bit. If fruit set is still not occurring, it's important to identify the cause of the problem to prevent a recurrence.

Poor quality planting material

Poor-quality seeds not only have poor germination rates but also risk losing your harvest. You should buy them at a specialty store. It's important to check the expiration date; expired seeds may germinate but fail to produce fruit. Choose zucchini varieties recommended for your specific region.

Adverse weather conditions

A drop in temperature negatively impacts squash fruiting. Plant development is stunted, and it cannot fully form ovaries. Therefore, if the forecast is unfavorable, it's best to install greenhouse arches and cover the plants.

High temperatures are no less dangerous; they render pollen sterile, meaning it's incapable of pollination. In this case, you can help your plants by taking the following steps:

• it is necessary to increase the volume and frequency of watering;
• During periods of sweltering heat, stop feeding;
• Protect the bushes from direct sunlight. Shade can be created by stretching netting over the plants or covering them with newspapers during the hottest hours. If the zucchini aren't very large, plastic mesh crates will also work.

Excess nitrogen fertilizers

Applying too much nitrogen to the soil during planting or as fertilizer can lead to the crop becoming overfed. This reaction is caused by adding fresh or poorly rotted manure, as well as exceeding the recommended dosage and frequency of fertilizer application. As a result, all the zucchini's energy is spent on growing vigorous green mass, leaving little energy for flowering and fruit set. There are several ways to remedy this situation.

Reduce watering

If signs of swollen plants are detected, the first step is to reduce watering to once a week. This is a temporary measure, and once the plant begins to recover, return to the normal schedule, depending on weather conditions.

Removing part of the leaves or bushes

If there's excess foliage, remove any overly large leaves. This will conserve the plant's energy and allow sunlight to penetrate the center of the bush, which will stimulate fruit formation.

Poor fruiting can be caused by overcrowding of zucchini plants. This results in insufficient light and nutrients for the plants. In this case, some of the plants should be removed without regret.

Application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers

To quickly neutralize the effects of nitrogen and restore the nutrient balance, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are added to the soil. Fertilizing options:

• foliar feeding with a superphosphate solution

Dissolve one tablespoon of superphosphate in one liter of water. After dissolving, dilute the concentrate in 10 liters of water and use for spraying.

• root feeding with ash

Sprinkle wood ash on the soil beneath tomato plants, then loosen and water. Apply 300 grams per square meter.

The addition of phosphorus and potassium will inhibit plant growth and stimulate the formation of ovaries.

Difficulties with pollination

If you prefer hybrid varieties, pollination is not a problem, as the plants produce predominantly female flowers. When growing varietal squash and the number of ovaries is low, the plants need help with pollination. This can be done in two ways.

Attracting pollinating insects

To attract bees and bumblebees to your flowers, spray them with honey water. Dissolve one tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm water and spray the zucchini. Spray in the morning, when pollinating insects are most active.

Hand pollination

Poor weather conditions and the use of chemicals in the area can lead to reduced insect activity. In this case, self-pollination is necessary. To do this, pick male flowers and shake the pollen off onto the female flowers. You can transfer the pollen with a small brush. This procedure should be carried out between morning and midday, when the flowers are well open and ready for pollination.

Incorrectly chosen landing site

Zucchini is a crop with a fragile root system that doesn't tolerate transplanting. Therefore, choosing a location for your vegetable garden should be done carefully. It must meet certain requirements:

• good lighting

If your zucchini is in the shade, you can remedy the situation by using a sheet of foil. Place it next to the plant on the north side. The foil will reflect the sun's rays.

• the soil should be neutral in acidity

You can reduce acidity without harming zucchini with baking soda. It's the only soil acidifier that can be applied during plant growth, rather than beforehand. It can be applied dry (80-100 grams per square meter) or diluted with water (25-30 ml per liter of water).

• the place should be dry and not prone to stagnant water

In cold, damp, low-lying areas, zucchini won't produce many fruits. Therefore, in such areas, plants should be planted in raised raised beds with good drainage. If zucchini is already planted, excess water should be drained through open drainage channels.

Diseases of zucchini

Fungal and viral diseases can lead to poor or no fruit set. Common and dangerous diseases affecting this crop include:

• powdery mildew;
• white rot;
• spotted mosaic.

To prevent and combat diseases, it's best to resort to traditional methods. Chemical treatments should be avoided to ensure an environmentally friendly harvest. Vegetable growers consider treatments with sour milk or whey, as well as baking soda-based solutions, to be effective. Here are some common recipes:

• Dilute 1 liter of whey in 10 liters of water. Water the bushes generously using a watering can with a shower attachment;
• Add 1/2 bar of laundry soap and 1/4 package of baking soda to 3 liters of water. Mix thoroughly and spray the bushes.

Spray generously in the morning or evening on a dry day. Apply once every five days.

Prevention

Useful tips will help you avoid poor fruiting of zucchini:

1. Buy seeds from proven and reliable agricultural companies; it is better if these are self-pollinating varieties.
2. Do not collect seeds for propagation and future planting from hybrids, that is, from seeds marked F1.
3. Use home-collected seeds for planting only in the second or third year. Seeds that are one year old will not produce fruit.
4. Follow crop rotation rules and choose the right planting location and compatible neighbors.
5. Follow the planting pattern recommended by the variety's originator.
6. Strictly adhere to the fertilizer application rates and timing. Find the golden mean, taking into account soil conditions and plant needs at different stages of development.
7. Avoid overwatering your zucchini. Adjust your watering schedule based on weather conditions. If natural rainfall is sufficient, reduce watering or stop altogether.
8. Collect the fruits in a timely manner.

By following simple rules for planting and caring for zucchini, you'll never encounter problems like poor fruiting. Zucchini is a responsive crop, so with a little attention and care, it will provide you with a bountiful harvest of vegetables until late autumn.