Zucchini

Quick Reference

History

Italian zucchino, french courgette.

squash comes from the Indian word skutasquash meaning |green thing eaten green”

Zuc are immature marrows.

Very quick growing – can go from zuchinni to marrow in a very short time

Like a warm soil in a sunny spot.

growing time 50-55 days

can be started early and transplanted

plant when danger of frost has passed.

Like good compost.

Avoid excessive watering as too much water could shorten the fruiting time.

Avoid too much nitrogen.

Requires bees for pollination but can be hand pollinated by picking male flowers and holding them over the female flowers and tapping them.

Powdery mildew – generally it is the older plants that get powdery mildew.

Flowers can be stuffed and eaten – stuff with ricotta and basil

Growing

Maintenance

Fun Facts

Problems

Downy mildew – leaves become blotched and yellow, sometimes mould will appear on undersides. Can be worse in cool, moist conditions.

Wilting of leaves – large leaves loose moisture in warm weather. Mulch and water frequently.

Excessive leaf growth – excess Nitrogen

Fruit yellow and bitter – over-maturity

Leaf spot – water soaked spots on leaves, leaves crack. Immature fruit may fall. Crop rotation. Destroy diseased leaves and parts of plant.

Anthracnose – Brow-black spots on leaves. Crop rotation (four years)

Shortage of fruit – Poor pollination. Lack of bees or weather too cold. Hand pollination may be possible

Predominance of male flowers. – stress conditions, poor nutrition, low light, low temperature, low water. Ensure plants have food and water.

Damaged skin with pale discoloured patches – Fruit exposed to wet, damp soil. Place a tile or hay under the fruit.

Lack of flavour – not ripe enough.

Pests

Companion Planting