What's Killing My Kale Season 3 Episode 10: Flowering and fruit set in cucurbits

What's Killing My Kale?

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4y ago

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In Season 3 Episode 10 of What's Killing My Kale, Natalie talked with Dr. Brent Loy, emeritus professor of plant genetics and cucurbit breeder extraordinaire at the University of New Hampshire.

Every year we hear about fruiting in flowering issues in cucurbit crops towards the middle of the summer. Many of the strategies to prevent this from happening should be implemented now, when you're transplanting.
In this episode we discussed:

Why we so often see flower abortion, small fruit, and oddly shaped fruits, particularly in summer squash and zucchini
The biology of male and female flowers in various types of cucurbits (and why it matters)
The role that variety selection plays
Best practices for nutrient management and spacing in cucurbits

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