Q. We have a home on Cape Cod and I have tried, in vein, to grow zucchini and pumpkins for the last few years. I get wonderful leaves and flowers, but before the fruit starts, the flowere wither and die. I have asked garden shops and they tell me I have some sort of bug in the sandy soil but give me no remedies.
Could you help?
What a wonderful web site this is!
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
A. Most likely the cause of this problem is lack of pollination. I am wondering if your location near the ocean is impacting that process. If that is the case, it maybe possible to hand pollinate. Here is a link that shows the male and female flowers of zucchini. Take the pollen from the male and dab it on the female one…could use a Q-tip or paint brush.
http://www.pool-room.com/Personal/Plants/Zucchini.html
Here is a link about the pumpkins….
http://www.pumpkinnook.com/howto/pollen.htm
Let me know how it works out!
Barbara Emerson
Have Green Thumb
Manchester, Massachusetts
