What to Do About Zucchini Flower Drop and Fruit Drop? The Latest Control Methods Are Here
Zucchini is an annual plant of the Cucurbitaceae family. Many friends who grow zucchini know that when zucchini begins to flower, it can experience flower drop and fruit drop. The zucchini grows well but simply will not hold on; before it has even grown large, it turns yellow and drops off. So how exactly can zucchini flower drop and fruit drop be prevented? Let's take a look together below!
1. Temperature control
Zucchini is a warmth-loving crop. If zucchini does not reach the required temperature during its growth, it will very easily develop flower drop and fruit drop. When zucchini begins to flower and set fruit, the most suitable daytime growing temperature is around 25, and at night around 16°C. Increasing the day-night temperature difference inside the greenhouse allows zucchini to accumulate nutrients and promote growth.
2. Light control
Zucchini is also a light-loving crop, with an average daily light duration of more than 6 hours. Light enables zucchini to carry out photosynthesis and promotes metabolism within the plant. Light intensity determines the intensity of photosynthesis. Pay attention to cleaning stains off the greenhouse film to improve the film's light transmittance, increase light duration and raise the temperature inside the greenhouse.
3. Fertilizer and water management
If during the flowering and fruiting stage of zucchini the leaves are found to be dark green, thick and large, and the plant only flowers without setting fruit, then boron fertilizer should be applied as a top dressing immediately. When flower buds appear, spray foliar fertilizer about once a week, continuing for one month. This is to prevent abnormal flower and fruit development in zucchini caused by insufficient trace elements, which leads to flower drop and fruit drop. At the same time, excessive vine growth must also be prevented to ensure nutrition for the flowers and fruits.
4. Ensure pollination
To increase the chances of successful pollination and fertilization in zucchini, hand pollination and hormone treatment can be used to ensure the fruit-setting rate of zucchini. At around nine in the morning, pick off the male flower and remove the corolla, then gently dab it onto the female flower. At this time, pay attention to the pressure; the style of the flower is very fragile, and if the style breaks, pollination will fail. This method is intended to prevent failed pollination in zucchini from causing flower drop and fruit drop.
5. Disease control
All crops have pests and diseases, and zucchini is no exception. Pests and diseases are also one of the main causes of flower drop and fruit drop in zucchini. Pay attention to checking the growing conditions in the garden and controlling pests and diseases. If disease is found, remove the diseased plants immediately to ensure ventilation inside the greenhouse. Promptly clear away fallen flowers and diseased plants in the garden. A layer of carbendazim powder can also be applied to the petals to prevent pathogen invasion.
The above are the solutions for zucchini flower drop and fruit drop. I hope they can help friends who have this problem. However, there are many causes of zucchini flower drop and fruit drop, so everyone must treat the root cause accordingly. Also, do not apply chemicals blindly, otherwise it may backfire. The above content is for reference only!