Anything rotting in the garden is a gardener’s worst nightmare.
Those who plant squash and zucchinis will know the feeling very well since these fruits (yes, zucchinis are botanically considered fruits) are much more susceptible to rot than others.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the possible causes behind rotting zucchinis and what you can do to fix the underlying issues.
Let’s get right into it, shall we?
Why Are My Zucchini Rotting? Causes & Solution!
1 – Watering Too Much
One of the most common causes of rotting zucchinis in the garden is overwatering. When you flood the vines with water and have poor drainage systems, the result is both root and fruit rot.
Although zucchinis typically thrive in moist conditions, waterlogging is something they can’t handle for long.
Solution
Practice infrequent watering and hydrate the vine only when the surface of the soil feels somewhat dry. If you’re growing the zucchini in pots, ensure there are drainage holes in the bottom so any excess water can leave the pot.
2 – Inadequate Pollination
Inadequate pollination can also be a major cause of rot in developed fruits. If you notice that your zucchinis at least grow to a decent size before rotting, it’s probably because of poor pollination.
Solution
Although you can pollinate the flowers by yourself using a small brush of some sort, in the long run, you will eventually have to come up with a way to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. The best way to do that is by planting bright nectar-rich flowers near your zucchini vines since pollinators typically have strong color vision.
3 – Environmental Stress
Finally…a point in which it’s not your fault that your zucchinis are rotting – such a relief to hear, isn’t it?
So, the environment can play a huge role in a plant’s/vine’s fruit production – we all know that. However, environmental stress in the form of temperature fluctuations, rain, and frost can absolutely affect how well your zucchinis are going to grow.
Temperature extremes are never good, especially in the case of Zucchinis which are much more sensitive.
Solution
Although environmental factors like rain, flooding, and frost can’t be controlled, what you can control is the exposure your zucchini vine gets of these fluctuations. Perhaps try moving the vine to some other shaded location or keep it indoors untl outside conditions turn favorable.
4 – Pests & Diseases
Another very common reason for rotting zucchini is pest infestations.
Many people have this misconception that pests only attack and damage plants/vines while leaving the developed fruits alone. However, that’s far from the truth. Spider mites and cucumber beetles will eat away your zucchinis, thus, leading to rot.
Fungal diseases like powdery mildew and blossom end rot are also common with squash vines. These are often a result of excessive moisture or lack of air circulation in the vine.
Solution
Keep an eye out for strange yellowing patterns or white residue on your zucchini leaves. The same goes for pest attacks and holes/spots on your zucchini. If red flags are apparent, take immediate action and bring pesticides into play as needed.
Final Words
If you were clueless about why your zucchini has been rotting all this time, now you know some possible reasons why that may be.
However, just knowing the reasons isn’t enough to bring change. Now, it’s your job to take immediate action and make whatever changes necessary to ensure no more precious zucchinis go to waste.
Good luck!
Thank you for this. I have definitely learned a few things😊