How to Solve Common Problems With Squash Plants

Squash is one of those crops that gives and gives and gives some more. It’s tough to beat the return on investment for a pack of seeds. Choose from summer squash for an instant reward, or plant winter squash for fresh-from-the-vine flavors long after the vines are toast. Squash are notoriously easy to grow, but there are a few problems that typically occur. Click through our gallery to diagnose your squash problems — and learn some tips for solving these common issues.

Squash plants have two different types of blossoms: male and female. Both must be open at the same time for bees to pollinate the female blooms with pollen from the male ones. Male flowers sit atop tall, slender stems. Typically male flowers open first on a squash vine and are joined in about 7 to 14 days by female blooms. Both male and female flowers last for one day. If your squash vine is blooming but no squash are forming, check to see if you have both male and female blooms present.

Female flowers have a swollen base that resembles a miniature squash. Typically female blossoms nestle against the squash vine stems. This bloom belongs to a butternut squash vine. Female flowers appear about a week or so after male blooms have been opening daily. If both male and female blossoms are present but no squash are forming, check vines early in the day to see if bees are visiting. Spraying pesticides during the day when bees are active can kill bees. Always wait to spray pesticides at dusk, when bees are still.

During excessive rainy spells, squash can develop gray mold or botrytis. Most often it occurs when dead blossoms start to rot in rainy weather. If you spot gray mold on fruits, cut the stems and toss them into the compost pile. During prolonged rainy spells, gather fallen blooms if you can easily reach them to reduce the chances of the disease developing.