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Navarre,OH

I just don't understand, I baby both the giant marrow plants, do about everything needed and I just cannot keep a fruit set on this thing and its really getting me down.
Lost a good handful of fruits even before I had a chance to pollinate them, so I thought whatever, the plant is picking the healthier ones. I pollinated 3 total so far. One on the smaller plant that aborted two days later and another on the larger plant. I have one that is about 6" long on the smaller plant thats been pollinated for about a week and the skin on it seems to be a tiny bit soft for my liking, like its going to abort or something. I'll have to wait and see. I think its going to abort because my zucchini's are rock hard all the way to the day they come off the plant. This large plant is kind of strange. Its about reaching the 33' mark and is just now starting to throw out a bunch of side vines. Its almost like the plant is more worried about growing as long as it can rather than keeping fruits. I just don't understand and its really depressing me. This is my first year at vining plants/marrows and I'm afraid I'll end up with a big ole nothing. Think I'll give it a few more weeks and I'm pulling both plants. :(

7/9/2010 7:12:05 PM

El Paso TX.

you might try a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus and potassium and low to no nitrogen content to promote the flower-fruit growth stage to kick in.

7/9/2010 7:21:19 PM

Pataskala,OH

It was probably the 90 + degree weather. I bet you will set one this week since it is going to be in the low 80s.

7/9/2010 9:52:22 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I don't know Nic, I have set a few down here and we were at 95+ for 3 weeks with a much worse heat index. We don't call it Mizzery for a reason:) I would shade all potentials and lay off the nitrogen being at the 33' mark. As Nic said, I wish you luck this week and I'm sure you'll have it. Keep us posted.

Luke

7/9/2010 10:19:37 PM

Navarre,OH

These plants have not got any nitrogen fertilizers of any kind for many weeks now hoping to set a fruit. I'll have to apply some potash ferts and hope these 80's help setting a fruit. All pollinated fruits have been shaded. I think the marrows just wanna make me mad. :P

7/9/2010 11:02:18 PM

Las Cruces NM

I had a problem like that last year = heat. There was one I just could't get to take and I did give up. But rather then ripping it up I just let it go wild. I called it the weed and it was! Then one did pollenated on its own--It looked like a cucumber. I was still babbying my pride and didn't much care for a cucumber. Then I started noticing it getting bigger ... and bigger. It wasn't my best one for sure, but it did end the season as my bigest. I guess lesson is you never really know, that it aint over till jack frost says it over! Hang in there -- the season is always full of a few supprises!

7/10/2010 1:11:05 AM

Netherlands

Marrows only need 5-7 weeks to mature, so you don't have to rip out your plant till 5-7 weeks from your weigh-off date. Marrows do not like heat. Some marrows have difficulties producing side vines. All very normal. 80s should be no problem as long as you keep the fruit shaded.
Heat is the reason why marrows do the best in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. We usually don't have heat...

7/10/2010 3:59:14 AM

Ohio

Don't feel bad Bill, right now Im having trouble with 3 plants , the 1725, 1450 and 1140. Have 3 on there now that was pollinated like 4 days ago (praying they took and will pollinate all 3 this morning again, All three plants have been hand pollinated at least 3 to 4 times each already.

Im praying they took the last time or even today cause its getting to late in the season for me, July 10th is my goal to at least get my pollination done. Keep trying bud is all ya can do.

7/10/2010 5:08:04 AM

Joliet, IL

some people might disagree, but i think added foliar of higher phosphorous and or drench will kick in the flowering stage nicely for any plant type species. stronger flowering hormones equals stronger blossoms. a plant will sometimes get caught in limbo between the vegetative and flowering cycles. the higher middle number dose reminds them what they are supposed to be doing in my eyes. some bloom busters also have a higher k number. i do not like that route personally through experience. i like a 0-13-0 or a 9-18-9 from agro k. those 2 are nice safe products to add. do not go heavy, just a regular dose or even better lighter doses more frequently.

7/10/2010 10:38:50 AM

Scituate,RI

I'm a newbie at this but, I had 7 set before this last weeks heat wave. I checked on them today and 3 of the smaller ones are not going to make it. No visible signs of disease. I'm blaming the heat. I hope I don't lose the big one.

7/10/2010 2:08:09 PM

Navarre,OH

Added some muriate of potash today to both plants. Only a tiny bit. I worked it into the soil and added some water to help it soak in a bit. Hoping for some changes soon!

7/10/2010 10:40:25 PM

Navarre,OH

I know some people say it matures the fruit very fast but theres the prob, I dont have a fruit to mature! lol

7/10/2010 10:59:53 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Bill, ium...is it possible that fall ammendments, have left too much N. in yer soil? Too much N, harms fruit sets? But where did the extra N, come from? Spring, fall?
Don't know what ya did last Fall, or this Spring just curious? Peace, Wayne

7/12/2010 1:44:20 AM

Navarre,OH

Well last year I added compost/grassclippings in the spring and had bad problems with seed corn maggots so this year I did my soil work in the fall. All I added in the fall was leaf/grassclipping compost and planted winter rye.
Tilled the rye in this spring very early on to make sure the rye breaks down enough by the time I plant so I dont have to plant corn and beans over and over again because of maggots. So compost in the fall, rye and a couple hundred pounds of very very old cow manure in the spring.

7/12/2010 8:28:05 AM

Navarre,OH

BTW I have the usual zucchini and summer squash and I cant eat em fast enough. Thinking Brad is right about all this hot weather. Next year I think I'm going to grow a giant greenie instead if I can't get a marrow to grow.

7/12/2010 8:30:55 AM