Well, lost is actually quite a strong word. Misplaced? I looked high and low for days, but obviously not quite high or low enough, as it ended up being under a pile of clothes that were on top of the piano.What on earth a pile of clothes is doing on the piano is anybody's guess.
Anyway, I haven't been posting as I haven't been photographing, and I think a blog is like a cookbook, if there aren't any photos, I'm not into it.
I am, however, very much into zucchini. Every year I try to grow it, and every year it's the same story. Zucchini plant grows, looks fabulous, little zucchinis come along, get to the size of my finger, and then the blossoms shrivel up and rot off. And this peeves me to no end. Zucchini are supposed to grow well here. They like the heat. And I know they grow well here - the plants are fabulously healthy looking and flower up beautifully, but I have yet to produce a zucchini larger than my finger.
Until now. Or at least until after now. Actually, until perhaps after now. Because I am not sure that this is going to work.
After a little research I discovered that calcium deficiency is causing the blossom rot on the zucchinis. This is caused either by a deficiency in the soil, or by irregular watering. Applying dolomite is supposed to fix this, so that's not rocket science. But there was also another recommendation.
Apparently if you remove the blossom once the fruit has begun to grow, and scrape off any signs of rot, the zucchini fruit will recover and flourish.
Skeptical?
Skeptical?Me too.
15 comments:
I missed you, Little One! You will fit right in here when the adoption goes through. We don't have a piano but somehow we manage to misplace things in the most unlikely of places. I hope your zucchini heals over.
Water, water, water....they do not like being deprived the old H2O Ali.
Just a tad skeptical, Ali ... great photo but it looks like there's a pit into the flesh of the Zucch. It might be an optical illusion though. Once the bloom comes off, there's a flattish spot left and I reckon that should still be intact or there's a high risk of getting fungus and whatever into the flesh. If the flat spot is there, then just wipe away anything not looking good. Potash (potassium) is also good for strengthening cell walls and you could add some of that according to directions.
In lieu of the fruit, the flowers are quite edible, I believe quite delicious, bound to be recipes out there. Although nothing is quite like a home-grown sweet, nutty raw grated Zucch in a salad.
Suzanne I am a terrible waterer... where others find it relaxing, I find it mind-numbingly boring, possibly even worse than housework. That does not bode well for the zucchinis, does it :(
Hazel, I am already there... and waiting to be made a cup of tea.
Elaine stop teasing me with the idea of home grown zukes! And yes, I am usually full of blind faith, but not this time. Apparently the flesh should just heal over, whatever happens though it doesn't really matter, the zucchini pictured was rotting at the end and was a goner, so this either saves him or helps him on his way. Fingers crossed he will rise again :D
glad you found your camera - I love reading your blog and your piccies are always beautiful - I look forward to reading your posts!
:)
dubious about the flower removal - looks drastic. Improve soil I think, they're normally so easy to grow. We have piles we've affectionately named nests everywhere - give me a flat surface and I will fill it.
Love the story about the camera. I always say my house is black hole, as soon as things enter it, they disappear. Or elves live here and they love watching me trying to find things.
Will have to remember this post when I plant my zucchinis. I love watering, love the peace and quiet of it, though these days I find all I think about is how much the water is costing me.
oh Ali I feel your pain! i blogged about the very same thing last week - and it appears my excitement was a bit premature! they are all yuck on the end. Must try your suggestions
A blogger without a camera is like a pub with no beer (to use an Australian analogy...) :) I always admire your close-up photos. I think this is your forte.
Instead of dolomite (affects pH) try gypsum... but be willing to give up on the zuke in our climate - if it isn't the dreaded blossom end rot, it is the powdery mildew. If you water these babies make sure you don't water the leaves, just the roots.
As an alternative consider trying angled luffa, it is a vine and thrives on our hot summers. IMO it doesn't have a taste (like zuke, again my opinion) but takes on the flavour of whatever you cook it with - think stir frys. If you don't have any seeds let me know and I will happily post you some... PM me your address on BLF.
Ooo Donna you gorgeous young thing! I don't have any luffa seeds, but I remember people talking about them on BLF. I agree that zucchinis don't taste like anything, so luffas sound great! I will give some gypsum a go first, I really am willing to keep trying with the silly zucchinis that don't want to cooperate. Thanks for the suggestion. What if I grew luffas next to them... do you think they might get the hint!
Mark, we'll make an Aussie out of you yet with expressions like that... I think my close ups are getting a little fuzzy... methinks I might need a new camera :D
Ally, if they are already on their way out, I can't see it hurting. I picked the blossoms from a few more today, we'll soon see if it words or not.
D&F I have a tank and I still hate watering. It ran out earlier this year though and it was very hard to bring myself to use town water. All I could think of were dollar signs.
Thank you Shelley :D I am off to look at your blog now.
Kirsty, I am determined to grow them. Little buggers!
Ali, another thing to think about is that zuchs aren't getting pollinated properly. Mine are the same - about finger size then the flower shrivels up. Google hand pollinating zucchinis. I did the first one this morning - will let you know if it worked! I'm gardening a bit South of you at Jimboomba and loving your blog.
Hi Ali,
I too pick the flowers off my zuccs and have had success with them ever since - I get loads of big (some hugely big ones if i don't notice them for a while) now. Occasionally the end does quite heal over properly, but it's usually just a matter of cutting that bit off and the rest of it is fine. I agree though you need to keep the water up to them and watch out for the powdery mildew. A milk solution on this works, or just cut off the worst effected bits and toss them, mine still grow well with some mildew anyway. Good luck.
Oh and I'm in a similar camera situation - I haven't lost the actual camera, but buggered if I can find the lens cap. I remember taking it off and thinking I'm going to put that somewhere safe so I don't lose it like usual, turns out I should have left it where it was, cos that safe place has been wiped from my memory.
Ali, just letting you know the hand pollinating is working a treat.
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