Yellow Early Prolific Straight Neck, No Male Flowers?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
dreaves Hutto, TX(Zone 8b) May 17, 2008

My squash, planted in early April, is starting to bloom. However, I haven't seen ANY male flowers. One the eight hills, there are probably at least twenty blooms, but all are female. There are lots more tiny blooms forming, but it looks like there are ovaries on most of them. From all the other posts I've read, it looks like the males should appear first. Am I doomed to have no fresh squash this year?

David

Post #4963985
Quote
gardenglory Gainesville, FL(Zone 9a) May 17, 2008

I am having the same exact situation with my melons, but in reverse. I cant seem to get a female flower, and it isnt just on one variety, I have cantalope and melons in that EB.

Post #4964064
Quote
Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) May 17, 2008

It is unusual for the Early Prolific Straight neck to set females first. Many of the newer hybrids are developed for maximum production of females. They will even out if you have several plants. The first few will abort, but the plant if healthy will take care of the problem.

This is a Black Ball, one of the newer hybrids. Not only is it female first but it is earlier than than other cultivars, so it will abort. As soon as others catch up, there will be plenty of males

Thumbnail by Farmerdill
Post #4964601
Quote
dreaves Hutto, TX(Zone 8b) May 17, 2008

I guess I'll have to be patient...When I saw the female opening on Thursday I thought, "I'll be eating fresh squash on Sunday!" I like to pick them small and slice them and fry them seasoned and floured. Maybe by next weekend.

Post #4965606
Quote
LouC Desoto, TX(Zone 8a) May 17, 2008

having trouble with my squash this year as well.

Christi

Post #4965935
Quote
dreaves Hutto, TX(Zone 8b) May 23, 2008

I was too impatient....now there are plenty of male and female blossoms--as well as happy bees. There were a few of the first squash that aborted because they weren't fertilized, but not too many. The plants are otherwise full of blooms. I actually harvested the first squash this morning. I'd say there was about 5 pounds. I'm ready to slice and fry for supper!

David

Post #4992962
Quote
BronxBoy Lawrenceville, GA(Zone 7b) May 23, 2008

Ummm...I have a dumb question

How do you tell the difference between a male and female blossom?

BB

Post #4993779
Quote
dreaves Hutto, TX(Zone 8b) May 23, 2008

You have to look under the dress.

For cucurbits (squash & cucumbers) the female blossom will have the baby fruit/ovary below the blossom. The male blossom is on a thin stem with nothing below the blossom

David R.

Post #4994218
Quote
Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) May 23, 2008

Females sit atop the miniature fruit. Males just have a skinny stem.

Thumbnail by Farmerdill
Post #4994222
Quote
BronxBoy Lawrenceville, GA(Zone 7b) May 23, 2008

Gotcha

Thanks

Post #4994310
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Vegetable Gardening Threads

Go to all Vegetable Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP