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forest flame Rank attained: Yew tree

Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 384 Location: DUBLIN
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:52 pm Post subject: courgettes rotting?? |
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hi i have grown courgettes for the first time and the first few were lovely.since then they have been producing loads of flowers and foliage but when they get to about an inch long they start to rot off.i cut a lot of the leaves off to let in more light
any ideas or help much appreciated
thanks in advance |
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Greengage Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 09 Nov 2011 Posts: 3129 Location: Kildare
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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Seems like a similar problem with pumpkins its got to do with inadequate pollination.You can try to hand-pollinate plants yourself by removing a male flower (male flowers don't have a swelling at their base) and brushing the central parts against the centre of a female flower (female flowers have a swelling at the base - this is the beginning of the fruit).
little bit of hidden sex and secret marriage there  |
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stonehead Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 01 Feb 2011 Posts: 67 Location: Galway, City.
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:24 am Post subject: |
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Have been having a similar problem myself this year, just after the flowers drop of a grey mould appears and then the courgette rots away. Any ideas !
Powdery mildew maybe or does that just affect the leaves.
Stonehead. |
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Greengage Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 09 Nov 2011 Posts: 3129 Location: Kildare
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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powdery mildew will first be noticed on the leaves problem is one of pollination. |
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forest flame Rank attained: Yew tree

Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 384 Location: DUBLIN
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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cheers thanks for that will try to help in the pollination makes sense. |
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stonehead Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree

Joined: 01 Feb 2011 Posts: 67 Location: Galway, City.
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:12 am Post subject: |
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Did a bit of reading up regarding my own problem and it looks to me to be a fungal growth called Botrytis or grey mould. The spores are spred in the air or by rain or water splash, and usually get into plants through wounds or damaged areas. Infections are worse in wet summers.
Stonehead. |
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michael brenock Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 1275 Location: cork
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:49 am Post subject: |
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Botrytis starts on the dead remains of the flower whether male or female and continues to spread onto the developing courgette when conditions are suitable. it is a good idea to pluck off the flower after the pollination has taken place or is just beginning to wither.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired) _________________ michael brenock |
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forest flame Rank attained: Yew tree

Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 384 Location: DUBLIN
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Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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thanks michael i will do that too |
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