zuchinni rot... help!

megs1383

This is my first year with a garden, and my first 2 zuchinnis grew beautifully, but now all of the new babies that are starting up are turning brown and mushy on the blossom end.

I've read that this can be caused by lack of calcium or lack of pollenation. Anyone have any experience with this? How did you fix it?? 

megs1383

and I totally spelled zucchini wrong, nice.

ChristyDM82

sorry I don't have an answer for you- i just wanted to say, that picture of your dog is SO cute!

gravitywontfail

Hmm, I have been having the same problem, so if anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it too!

annadog123

I had the same problem with my Summer Squash; I had mulched around the plants with grass clippings which is high in nitrogen, high levels of nitrogen can inhibit the absorbtion of Calcium, I scratched in some Espoma Brand Calcium for organic gardening around each plant and that did the trick. I have been picking about 3-4 Summer Squash a day, I lose a few here and there however I read this may just be the plants "natural selection" process, that or Cucumber Beetles waging war in the blossoms!

megs1383

thanks Christy! Anna - I also had tons of little zucchinis starting up at once just before the rotting started, and once I cut off the rotten ones, the new ones seem to all be ok. If the new ones do start to rot, then I think I will try adding the calcium.