Any veg experts out there? I planted six Zucchini plants in large pots with quality soil, so it is not unreasonable to expect a bumper harvest. I had grand plans to make Zucchini and Tomato chutney, pickled Zucchini, etc. I rubbed my hands together in glee as every plant produced flowers and baby zucchini. I situated the pots next to the lavender bushes, which were humming with bees, so pollination should not be a problem. However, when I returned from a few days’ vacation, I discovered that every single baby Zucchini had withered and died! I counted 29! GUTTED.
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I initially thought it was due to overwatering as every plant was affected, but further research revealed it is due to a lack of pollination or calcium. I am not sold on either explanation. I am at a loss …
What do you think?
Tomatoes: Dare I say so far while the orange cherry tom plants are healthy the black tomato plants are looking rather sorry for themselves. I don’t know why as they are all planted in the same soil.
The rest are faring reasonably well. The leaves are yellow. Maybe overwatering?
Aubergines: Tiny aubergines are beginning to form.
Cucumbers: I returned from vacation to find several perfectly formed cucumbers
Mystery Plant: Squash
Yellow Peppers: Continue to thrive even if the weeds have invaded the bed.
That’s my tale of gardening woe, gardening six for this week, folks. Anyone got any ideas re the Zucchini fail. I’m all ears and desperate… and May started so well!
Piglet in Portugal 
I usually wait until later in the season to plant my squash as I had the same problem as you a few years ago. Now, I wait until after the summer solstice to plant squashes but that only applies to zuchinis.
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That’s an interesting idea.
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So strange that they looked fine and then gave up?! I can’t say I have any good advice, other than I add calcium to the regular “veg fertilizer” for tomatoes/squash, etc. Every 10 days or so I give them a liquid dose, sometimes adding that stinky fish fertilizer. Otherwise I’ll get blossom end rot on some of the tomatoes – the bagged soil I originally used for the raised bed must have had zero calcium?
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Hi Tracy, I watched the watering systme yesterday and water was pouring out of the bottom of the bots which leads me to wonder if nany nutrients in the soil was washed through. I’ve now bougt a product which I will spray the leaves with and see. I am going to experiment. I will crack this because neighbours are growing well. Goodness you’ve just remeded me about the blossm end rot on toms. I better get feeding those.
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Oh gosh, sorry about the courgettes. It’s been years since I’ve grown them–my previous garden had more sun, and I have very limited sun here. It sounds like you have some good advice to try. Good luck with the second round of attempts. Your other crops look healthy and happy!
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Thanks, Beth. Yes, I am going to try the advice put forward using a different strategy on each plant to see what happens.
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I literally can’t get the plant itself to grow out here. I could in the city but for 10+ years I tried out here and then gave up. I am still trying with squash and pumpkin but never with much success. How disappointing to lose 29 actual zucchinis. Fingers crossed the epsom salts works.
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Hi Bernie, I wondered if was location/weather but when I first started growing them they grew just fine and I had an abundance of courgettes. Good luck with the squash and the pumpkins
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I am not going to hold my breath.
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Lol … I know that feeling.
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That’s a shame about the courgettes. I’m not sure what the problem is and googling has just added to the mystery as it looks like you had a similar issue back in 2020 (https://pigletinportugal.com/2020/04/13/what-causes-courgettes-to-wither-and-rot/).
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Hi TRowel, yes, I did have the same problem back then. I just don’t understand why every single courgette failed. We have loads of bees. Maybe I’ll be out first thing in the morning to self-pollinate.
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What a shame about the courgettes! So disappointing. Sorry I am unable to help with any tips but I am sure others will step in.
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Hi Lana, thanks for stopping by. Gardening can be soooo frustrating at times!
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It’s hard to say about your courgettes, plus you seem to be using automatic drip system, which is ideal. I agree with Rosie otherwise. Courgettes ( like butternuts or pumpkins ) need space or a very large, deep pot rich in manure. Otherwise, lack of nutriments to your toms? Chlorosis ?
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Hi Fred, I have bought another 3 plants today to plant in the large raised bed. Maybe they will fare better if it is a root issue. Yeah, the tomatoes are not looking good either so I am also think it could be the compost was a duff batch.
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Hmm, if no evidence of squash vine borer, I think it is calcium + possibly not enough water. Dissolve some epsom salts into water, water the pots deeply if dry, and hen pour over some epsom salt water – 1 tablespoon or two per gallon. Do this maybe monthly. The leaves look a bit on the yellow side, so I think it has to do with nutrient uptake. Sorry to hear. I have not planted mine yet, but may put seeds in today, as they will germinate when ready, and we should be past frost now. The tomato plants look dry to me. They need a crazy amount of water. I literally water daily when in pots. Everything needs a long drink. You probably need to really soak each pot once per week, maybe more as the plants get larger. Good luck!
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Hi, W. I am going to try your suggestion. IT seems strange every plant is failing. It could be a feed issue so I will experiment and water a couple of the the pots with epsom salts. I also bought another fertisliser today at the market. I will try on two of the plants and compare.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Good luck! One year, my zucchini was taken out by squash bugs – so disappointing. It is usually such a heavy producer, and I east a lot of it if it is in the backyard!
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The one and only time I tried container gardening I had several plants die, due to poor drainage. My mom, who operated her own small commercial greenhouse, said that some plants need the ability to spread their roots. I don’t know if either of these was an issue for your Zucchini, Carole, but I feel for your disappointment.
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Hi Terry, drainage is not an issue so I wonder if it is the root system needs more space. Rosie said the same
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It’s only a guess, but I think courgettes like to ramble, last year I planted mine on top of a huge pile of manure and watered it loads. although I did also have success with a ball shaped variety in a very large pot, again it sat on a pile of manure and demanded gallons of water.
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Hi Rosie, I was thinking about what you said re courgettes like to ramble so I bought another 3 plugs today which I will plant in the main bed which I will deep manure.. IT seems strange that ALL the plants are affected. They had plenty of water (I have a water meter).
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Fingers crossed. I was hoping to buy a plug this year and only have 1 plant. Last year I had 3 plants that produced more than I could cope with, but I couldn’t find a plug in the two places I went to. So now I have sown other seeds on the patch. An odd year! Good luck.
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