Winter squash leaf die back. Cause for concern?

15 years ago

The leaves at the bottom of my burgess buttercup are dying back. The rest of the plant looks healthy, so it may just be that those leaves aren't getting enough sun because they have been covered by the rest of the plants.

They get direct sun from 10 to 5 with temps in the upper 90's. They were covered with cheesecloth to provide a little shade, but they quickly overgrew it. I water them almost every morning. Flowers are opening, but none of the 6 females that I have hand pollinated have taken. The immature fruit just turns yellow and squishy.

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Comments (3)

weirdtrev
15 years ago
No cause for concern, old leaves die. The shade is probably not helping but it would have occurred regardless. When do you pollinate? It is strange they haven't taken that is a good size plant it is capable of supporting several fruit at that size. Make sure you are pollinating in the morning and try tieing a male blossom shut the night before it is supposed to open. That will ensure you have plenty of pollen for hand pollination.
bob123how
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, that is 4 plants, not just 2, and I pollinate first thing in the morning ~7 ish when both males and females are fully open and before it gets too hot. Also, when I see a female flower about to open I water the night before (as opposed to the morning) so the flowers are dry in the morning. Thanks for your help.
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bob123how
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, that is 4 plants, not just 2, and I pollinate first thing in the morning ~7 ish when both males and females are fully open and before it gets too hot. Also, when I see a female flower about to open I water the night before (as opposed to the morning) so the flowers are dry in the morning. Thanks for your help.