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Zucchini are one of the most popular vegetable plants in the hobby garden. They not only look impressive, but are also versatile. It's all the more annoying when the zucchini starts to rot from the top. But don't worry, there are a few tricks to save the zucchini harvest in this case too.
causes
Causes of rot
The rotting or dying off of zucchini from the top is a phenomenon that does not occur every year, but rather due to certain weather and subsequent conditions ground conditions depends. So you can be spared from rot for years until it suddenly appears out of nowhere.
Common causes for this are:
- insufficient or defective pollination
- calcium deficiency
- too much fertilizer
- too much heat (over 30 degrees Celsius)
- too little sun
- waterlogging in the soil
- poor aeration of the soil
- too cold weather
- wet cold weather
- excessive temperature fluctuations between day and night
- too many fruits on one plant (partial death)
healthy zucchini on a zucchini plant
prevention
preventive measures
So that the tips of the young zucchini fruits do not start to rot in the first place, you can take various preventive measures that can prevent rot. Of course, there is no guarantee of success, but the chances are relatively good that the plants will not rot.
weather
"Fighting" the Weather
Well, there is little you can do about the weather outdoors. Unfortunately, we also do not know in advance how the weather will develop during the growth phase of the zucchini. Nevertheless, you can also exert influence in this case, even if only a little.
Pay attention to the site selection for zucchini that the plants get a lot of sun. In regions where temperatures tend to remain cooler even in summer, look for a sheltered location for the plants, such as in front of wooden fences or (house) walls. This is how the heat is given off to the plants. This sheltered location also helps the plants when temperatures vary widely between day and night.
Against too high temperatures helps shade. Natural shade providers, such as deciduous trees, protect the courgettes from excessive heat as they give off water vapour. When choosing this location, however, you should make sure that the plants also get enough sun. against too much rain a protective roof helps. However, this should not rest on the plants. It is best to leave a distance of 20 to 30 centimeters between the rain protection and the plant. When the rainy season or continuous rain is over, you can remove the roof again.
soil quality
One cause of fruit rotting from the top is soil. Therefore, you should prepare it according to the needs of the plants. A good ventilation of the soil can be achieved if you loosen the soil before planting the courgettes. You can also add compost to the soil at the same time so that the plants are well supplied with nutrients. If you are unsure about the quality of your soil, you should take a soil sample and analyze it.
compost for soil improvement
Tip: Artificial fertilizers are not recommended in this case, since you ultimately want to eat the fruit.
This also helps against waterlogging to a certain extent loosen up of the floor. However, even in a very well loosened soil, the water can no longer drain off at some point. The only thing that helps is a rain cover that is installed in good time.
relief measures
Help for zucchini plants
If some young zucchini have already started rotting from the top, they can no longer be saved. But you can save the other fruits from this fate. The lazy itself is no longer classified as a disease of the plants, but as a deficiency symptom, more precisely as a calcium deficiency. This deficiency comes from the fact that many soils are over-fertilized and contain too much ammonium, potassium and magnesium. These substances prevent the plants from being able to absorb calcium and rotting then occurs from the top.
Zucchini flower on an intact zucchini
Lime, i.e. calcium, must therefore be supplied to the plant. As good calcium fertilizer a mixture of rock flour and dolomite lime has proven itself. Mix a 50:50 mixture and sprinkle 1.5 teaspoons per plant. After that, you have to wait, because the plant has to absorb the calcium first. After a few days or two weeks, no new rotten spots should appear on the tips.