Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:45:30 -0400
From: Debbie Roos
Subject: squash bugs?
This could be due to inadequate pollination. If the female flower is not pollinated (in this case by bees) then no fruit develop and the flower will drop off. Inadequate pollination can be due to insufficient populations of pollinators, or poor conditions for pollinator activity (excessive heat or rain, etc.). Squash is pollinated by both honey bees and native bees. Are you seeing any bees on the plants?
It is normal for male flowers to fall off after they shed their pollen but I assume you are describing the female flowers if you are not getting any fruit over a period of time.
If you suspect you don’t have enough bees in your area to pollinate your
crops then you can take steps to increase bee populations. You can become a beekeeper and/or plant foraging habitat for bees to attract them to your garden area. You can learn all about this at our Pollinator
Week Celebration this Saturday from 10:00 am-2:00 pm at Chatham Mills.
Please refer to my earlier postings for the complete details. We also invite you to join our beekeepers’ association!
Debbie Roos
Agricultural Extension Agent
Organic and Sustainable Agriculture
North Carolina State University
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Chatham County Center
Growing Small Farms Website:
http://www.growingsmallfarms.org
Post Office Box 279
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone: 919.542.8202 Fax: 919.542.8246
date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:16:27 EDT
From: Tinitap
Something is making the blooms fall off my squash plants before they can make a squash. I have not seen any bugs. Any idea what this is and how I can get it to stop?
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