My Summer Squash - What's Causing This?

last year

This is how my Zephyr squash grew this year. Usually they're smooth and mostly straight with 3/4 yellow and 1/4 green zucchini look on the end. This year they are all mottled and discolored. They've been fine to eat, but not as attractive as I'm used to.

I've wondered if it's due to ....

1. New seed packet but from Johnny's seeds so should be reliable.

2. Hot weather early on, but now that it's cooler they still look this way.

3. I tried a compost from the farm store that claimed to have chicken manure in it, but I found a lot of big wood pieces. Would something in that cause this?

The cucumbers in the same 4 x 8 raised bed also didn't look good and had very poor production. The cuke seeds were the same pack as I used last year and looked great then.

Any ideas?

Featured Answer

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10

last year

How can the source of pollen change the fruits that form? Wouldn't that have to wait until the seeds are grown out?

Looks like either some sort of virus to me - or insect damage - sucking insects can transmit diseases.

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Comments (8)

klem1
last year
My first guess is seed are from an inadvertently cross pollinated plant. Second guess is blossoms are being pollinated with pollen other than from same plants. It could be from a nearby garden or cucurbits growing in the wild. If taste is satisfactory I wouldn't worry.
sandyslopes z6 n. UT thanked klem1
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
last year
last modified: last year
It should be understood that either before or after harvest, squash may get what is called "chilling injury" that makes for sunken pits on the surface and high levels of decay in storage. This happens when temperatures drop below 50F. Did these squash start to appear this way after it cooled off?
sandyslopes z6 n. UT thanked daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
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sandyslopes z6 n. UT
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
klem, I'm thinking I may buy a new pack of seeds for next year in case that's the problem.

dan, these have come out this way all through the season. We were hot during the day and most nights it stayed in the 70s and 80s until recently we've dipped with Autumn approaching.

carol, I haven't seen any insects that aren't the usual in the garden, and the leaves looked fine all season with no insect damage apparent there. Virus? Would that be in the seeds or my soil?
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
last year
last modified: last year
Not a botanist, so I can't tell, but have you contacted the company yet and shown them the photo? I would.
sandyslopes z6 n. UT thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
last year
last modified: last year
You might consider squash (or cuke) mosaic virus. This image of a mottled squash looks a whole lot like yours.

https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/u-scout/cucurbit/squash-mosaic.html

Of course, you'd expect blistered leaves as well, but allegedly the symptoms start on the fruit.
sandyslopes z6 n. UT thanked daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
sandyslopes z6 n. UT
Original Author
last year
carol, I've only asked here and haven't contacted the seller about it.

dan, followed the link and squash mosaic does look like it could be the culprit. If that's the case, then it's due to beetles and not something in my soil. I'll have to check out the leaves to see if there's any blistering. I read where it said commercial growers can't market squash that get this virus. I know as a home grower, I couldn't give any away this year!

It's the first time this has happened in all the years I've had zucchini or squash, so hopefully, next year will be back to normal.
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
last year
You might look for mottled leaves, raised dark green blisters on fruits, and stems that dry out rapidly. That would clearly point to squash mosaic. To the extent the seeds came from a reliable source, it's unlikely the virus came through the seeds. But soaking the seeds in 10% bleach will kill whatever is on them.
sandyslopes z6 n. UT thanked daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)