One topic to research is called "selective fruit abortion" and another is "life cycle of fruiting plants". Plants that are stressed for whatever reason at various stages of their cycle shift their focus to survival rather than reproduction. The greater the stress the greater the shift away from the heavy demands of reproduction. In many ways, it is just like people. ;)

There are many different signs of this and a good example is leaf roll. It is to reduce moisture transpiration in the heat or moisture loss due to insects. Another sign is to let the older leaves die off and shed them to reduce demands and preserve nutrients for new growth only. Blossom drop in fruits is yet another. Early production of only male blooms or male blooms with no stamen or pollen is another. The plant determines when it is well enough established and has sufficient nutrients and water available to reproduce. If not, it doesn't.

And terminating or delaying the development of female DNA tissue, blooms, ovules, etc. is just another plant initiated control. The plant eliminates the possibility of it having to cope with production in addition to all its other stress.

In the previous discussion you refer to there were apparently 4 squash and zuke plants in the same container. There simply is no way the amount of soil, nutrients, and water available in that 1 Earthbox can support 4 plants, keep them alive and healthy, and allow them to continue to reproduce at the same time. So they just shut down. Even if nutrients and water were supplied multiple times a day the plants will be stressed simply by being so root bound.

Container plant production seldom matches in-ground plant production. That is a given. It simply isn't possible because of the restrictions imposed on container plants. But grossly over-crowded container plants have 2 strikes against them to begin with when it comes to production and being root bound is strike number three.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Selective Fruit Abortion

Thank you for that information, Dave. I was under the (mis)impression that plants that were slightly stressed were more likely to produce fruit in an attempt to insure survival of the line. But what you say makes sense. I'll do more reading based on your suggestions. There's always so much more to learn! I appreciate the time you've taken to help me understand what's going on.

Sandy