New Squash-wrinkled-shriveling

[David Shalita]

In my tiny garden that recevies plenty of sunlight,
the newly formed squash fruit becomes soon wrinkled and shrinks. Even
see some darkening at the blossom end. Both Butternut and Yellow Neck
Summer squash show same symptoms.

Really need suggestions.
Thank you.
--
David Shalita (Dave)
af...@lafn.org
Van Nuys, CA

[Dave Green]

>In my tiny garden that recevies plenty of sunlight,
>the newly formed squash fruit becomes soon wrinkled and shrinks. Even
>see some darkening at the blossom end. Both Butternut and Yellow Neck
>Summer squash show same symptoms.

Bee populations are dwindling and your problem is becoming common. You need
to get bees, or hand pollinate.

Just seeing a bee isn't enough. You need to be able to spot another bee
every second, moving from one flower to another, a the time of peak activity
in your garden.
Squash requires 15-20 bee visits to guarantee fruit that will not abort and
mature into high quality.

http://pollinator.com/squash.htm

Polli...@aol.com Dave Green Hemingway, SC USA
The Pollination Home Page: http://pollinator.com

Jan's Sweetness and Light Shop (Varietal Honeys and Beeswax Candles)
http://users.aol.com/SweetnessL/sweetlit.htm

[David Shalita]

Hi Dave,

Dave Green wrote:
>
> >In my tiny garden that recevies plenty of sunlight,
> >the newly formed squash fruit becomes soon wrinkled and shrinks. Even
> >see some darkening at the blossom end. Both Butternut and Yellow Neck
> >Summer squash show same symptoms.
>
> Bee populations are dwindling and your problem is becoming common. You need
> to get bees, or hand pollinate.

I see many bees on nearby honeysuckle plants but apparently
are not enough bees visit for complete pollination.

Thank you for the advise.
I would like to try hand pollinating.

>
> http://pollinator.com/squash.htm
>
I visited this site and many links.
Good photos at this site.

I am not sure exactly how to hand pollinate.

Do I use Qtips cotton swab to transfer
pollen from male to female flower.

Thank you for your help.

> Polli...@aol.com Dave Green Hemingway, SC USA
> The Pollination Home Page: http://pollinator.com
>
> Jan's Sweetness and Light Shop (Varietal Honeys and Beeswax Candles)
> http://users.aol.com/SweetnessL/sweetlit.htm

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