Expert: C.L. Fornari - 7/17/2006

Question
I also wanted to let you know that the fruit are not touching the soil. And the lower leaves are turning brown. I have the zuchinni planted near the sprikler. Is it possible that it is getting more water?
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Followup To

Question -
I am trying to grow zuchinni and I have had a lot of flowers as well as fruit. But they don't seem to grow bigger than 1-2 inches and the fruit becomes yellow and falls out. What is the problem?

Answer -
Farah,
Usually this is a fungal condition - try sticking some mulch (hay, pine needles, chopped leaves, or 2 layers of landscape fabric) in between the squash stalks and the ground, so the fruit is held above the soil.  Also, you could spray the area under new flowers with either a sulpher spray or a product called Serenade, which is an organic fungal control.  If you are watering with a sprinkler, try to only do so in the morning so that the vines dry out quickly.

I hope this helps,
C.L. Fornari

Answer
Farah,
How often does the sprinkler go off?  If the sprinkler is wetting the squash more than every four days, that could be your problem.  Try the sulpher spray or the serenade, and water longer but less often, in the morning, and see if that helps.
C.L.