Poor Pollination

Insufficient or inactive pollen

image of poor pollinationimage of poor pollination in squash

Note: Click on the image(s) above to see larger version.

Symptoms:
Fruit fail to expand normally, quickly turning brown at the blossom end and falling off the plant.

Control:
Most cucurbits have separate male and female flowers. Flower sex can be affected by plant age and environmental conditions. Some cultivars have only female flowers, and must have a pollinator line interplanted to insure normal fruit development. An adequate population of bees is also needed to insure pollination. Proper selection of insecticides for treating other pests is important to minimize adverse effects on the pollinators.


The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service is implied.

Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.

Publication Revised July 2009

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