Growing Squash, also Crookneck, Pattypan, Summer squash

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21 Sep 09 Lyndall (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am growing button squash. I have no idea when to pick them, they are only quite small but when the flower dies off, if i dont pick them they die. The only thing is i picked some the other day but they were still a little prickerly? The plants leaves also have some kind of mould would this be the reason why i only have very small squash, before it dies??
11 Nov 12 Kez (Australia - tropical climate)
If the squash die off after the flower closes/dies - this means the flower was not fertilised with pollen from a male flower. I would suggest you carefull pick a male flower (has a single, pointed centre) ensuring you don't shake it so much the pollen drops off, break off the petals surrounding it, & smear it in the crinkly looking centre of the female flowers. Plants can have male & female flowers on them. Re the mould - usually if badly effected the best thing is to pull it out & dispose of in bin. Maybe cutting some leaves off will help it to dry out & stop it spreading due to overcrowding. I have removed lots of leaves on my plants, so they put their efforts into growing the fruits rather than lots of big leaves.

If the squash die off after the flower closes/dies - this means the flower was not fertilised with pollen from a male flower. I would suggest you carefull pick a male flower (has a single, pointed centre) ensuring you don't shake it so much the pollen drops off, break off the petals surrounding it, & smear it in the crinkly looking centre of the female flowers. Plants can have male & female flowers on them. Re the mould - usually if badly effected the best thing is to pull it out & dispose of in bin. Maybe cutting some leaves off will help it to dry out & stop it spreading due to overcrowding. I have removed lots of leaves on my plants, so they put their efforts into growing the fruits rather than lots of big leaves.

- Kez

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