Cucumber, Pumpkin, Squash: Pollination failure

Biology

Fruits may begin to develop without pollination, but must be pollinated to continue normal growth. The unpollinated fruit remain small and may show a rot beginning at the blossom end. These fruits usually turn yellow and drop from the plant fairly quickly. Incomplete pollination may also be a problem, resulting in misshapen fruit (curved, bell-shaped, or nubbins). Portions of the fruit may have abnormal seed development. Both male and female flowers are necessary for pollination to occur (except in some cucumbers). Since female flowers typically appear on the vines before male flowers, the earliest female flowers are not usually pollinated.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Hand-pollination may be necessary in small plantings. A single male flower can be used to pollinate several female flowers.
• Low temperatures may prevent flower development and pollination.
• Some species produce male and female flowers on separate plants. For these species, be certain to plant both male and female plants.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

• None recommended