As you are in my same zone, I feel "qualified" to make an observation.

Your problem this year, was my problem last year. So frustrating to see the female set blossom and either drop off, or set fruit and drop off.

They can say what they want, but this year I planted another variety - a lighter colored/speckled one, and have lots of zucchini for bread, cookies, stir fry, whatever.

Perhaps that is not your problem either - the zuke I planted last year was called black zucchini - and I do have one plant of that variety this year. It just doesn't hold a candle to the speckled variety. Can't help thinking, it is a genetic disparity - the blossoms don't seem to open up enough to be receptive to insect/bee pollinating, then drop prematurely.

Just my 2 c's.

Bejay

Hi Bejay,

Thanks for your thoughts. Maybe it is something specific to certain varieties. What is the lighter colored speckled variety you are now having success with?

no_regrets -

Sorry - I just checked the seed packet, and found that I had torn the top off when I took out seeds. Was hoping to find it intact.

Although - it was a variety from Bentley Seeds - which is not one of the larger seed suppliers. Guess I just saw them and felt I needed a new variety.

I can describe them though - they start out about the size of a thumb and then kind of bulb up at the end, and are lighter green and speckled.

Hope it helps.

Bejay

I had alot of problems with the 8-ball this season myself and I am fairly certain it is due to the lack of pollination. I dont know if this could be regional perhaps as I grew this exact zucchini in Missouri 3 years ago and had no problems.. This season in Maine was a late start due to such cool and rainy weather and tremendous amounts of blossoms just dropped and then if I was fortunate enough to get a zuke started it would just rot and drop.. they seem to be picking up now and coming along well with the heat finally here and the rain letting up.