Why pumpkin ovaries turn yellow and fall off: determine the cause of the problem and save your harvest
Pumpkin is a picky plant that does not cause gardeners much trouble. But it happens that the ovaries on the bushes begin to turn yellow, rot and fall off. If the problem is not dealt with, there is a risk of being left without a pumpkin harvest.
Today we’ll talk about why pumpkin ovaries turn yellow and fall off, as well as ways to solve this problem.
Causes of yellowing and falling ovaries
The sources of the problem are varied. Formed fruits turn yellow, rot and fall off due to damp cold weather, poor bush growth, and poor soil. Often the ovaries fall off when there are too many of them. Let's look at each of the reasons in more detail.
Pollination does not occur
The future fruit is formed from a pollinated female flower. The opened bud has only two days to pollinate. If during this time the ovary does not form, the barren flower withers and falls off.
Because pumpkins are pollinated by insects, rainy weather reduces the likelihood of pollen transferring from the male flower to the female flower.
Little sunlight
Pumpkin is a light-loving plant. The cause of shedding may be hidden in a lack of sunlight. In the shade, the plant stretches out, the inflorescences turn yellow and dry out, and small fruits form.
Little moisture
Problems at the fruit formation stage can arise due to insufficient soil moisture.
Water pumpkin bushes not often, but generously, about once a week. After watering, the soil is loosened.
Excess moisture
Excessive moisture is just as detrimental to the future harvest as insufficient moisture. Rotten ovaries are removed, as they become a source of development of putrefactive bacteria that can infect healthy specimens.
Crop rotation rules are not followed
Poor soil also causes the inflorescences to fall off. Pumpkin bushes take a lot of nutrients from it, so the same place for a pumpkin patch is used no more than once every 5-6 years. Potassium and phosphorus are especially necessary for fruit formation.
The soil is oversaturated with nutrients
Excess fertilizer in the soil is also detrimental to ovaries. Massive lashes and dense foliage on the bush signal an excess of nitrogen. The plant actively grows green mass and is “lazy” to set fruit.
Pests
One of the possible causes of yellowed and fallen ovaries is pests, for example, the meadow moth. Insect caterpillars harm not only pumpkins, but also other crops on the site.
How to prevent yellowing and shedding of ovaries
If the cause of the shedding of the ovaries is barren flowers, artificial pollination with a plucked male flower will help. Male flowers appear on pumpkin bushes earlier than female ones. They are recognized by their long stalks and stamens.
The best results are obtained by pollination on the first day of opening of the female inflorescence. They take a male flower, bend the petals and gently pass it over the female flowers. The procedure is carried out in the morning, since the buds close in the afternoon.
Choosing the right location for your pumpkin patch is very important. It should be a sunny, high area without stagnant water. Optimal illumination for plantings is at least 9 hours a day.
When cold and damp weather sets in, pumpkin bushes are covered with covering material.A delay in plant growth and ovary formation is often caused by a lack of heat.
To prevent the ovaries from deteriorating from rot, reduce watering. During the rains, it is good to drain water from pumpkin bushes.
Attention! To water pumpkins, choose the evening when the inflorescences are closed. Then the water will not wash away the pollen, and there will be no problems with pollination.
Feeding is of great importance for the formation of ovaries and fruit development. Fertilizers are applied for the first time after planting seedlings in open ground. The second time - during flowering. The last time the pumpkin is fed is 3 weeks after the second application of fertilizer.
When choosing fertilizers, they are guided by the composition of the soil.
Preventive measures
Successful pumpkin growing is largely determined by the quality of the ingredients used. seed material. As with the cultivation of any crop, the harvest is established at the stage of purchasing and planting seeds.
Selecting large, healthy seeds and preparing them for planting will ensure strong seedlings. The planting area is prepared in advance. The soil is dug up and fertilized. If this is not done, the pumpkin bush will not have enough nutrition and the ovaries will fall off.
For faster fruit formation, fruit formation stimulants are used, for example, Gibbersib.
Advice from experienced gardeners
Following the recommendations of experienced gardeners will help prevent yellowing and shedding of the ovaries:
- Pumpkin loves warmth and sun. For the garden bed, choose the sunniest place on the site.
- Use only warm water to water pumpkin bushes.. Pour it at the root, trying not to get it on the flowers and leaves.
- After the pollination process is completed, the pumpkin bush is formed. Removing excess vines solves the problem of too many pumpkins forming.
- For large-fruited varieties, leave 2-3 canes per bush and 1 ovary on each cane. For small-fruited plants, it is enough to remove the vines without ovaries.
- Timely removal of weeds will prevent the appearance of pests on the site and diseases.
Read also:
Winter Sweet Pumpkin, popular among farmers.
The most unusual type of Luffa pumpkin: what it is.
The benefits and harms of pumpkin juice for men, women and children.
Conclusion
Compliance with agricultural practices for growing pumpkins prevents problems with the formation of ovaries on the bush and the falling of inflorescences. If the ovaries turn yellow and fall off, artificial pollination, fertilization, and reducing the frequency of watering will help correct the situation. Take care of your pumpkins and they will delight you with a rich harvest!