Vegies Not Fruiting?

Hello All

We planted virgin ground this year and the ground dense with red clay and very rocky. I have usually found that with squashes and cucumber they will just about grow and bare fruit on asphalt.....Our cucumber didn't come up at all....all of the squash varieties are flowering but the flowers just drop off...no fruit.

The tomatoes, hot peppers and beans are doing OK but the Bell Peppers are not even flowering.

Do I need some type of blossom forcer, nutrient or what?

Thanks,

Gerry

[Newt]

Hi Gerry,

You don't say how you prepared the soil.* Did you add lots of compost?* Did you do a soil test since it was virgin soil?

You don't say if your male or female flowers are dropping off your cucumbers or if it's both.* There are several possible reasons.* Take a look here.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/sqblossomdrop.html

You don't say where you live and your location isn't in your profile, but lack of flowers on your bell peppers could be due to intense heat, too much sun and/or drought conditions.* If the heat is intense your plants may be drying out just enough to not produce flowers.* That could also explain the blossom drop in your cucs.* If the sun is too intense you might want to consider shading them a bit.* Both bell peppers and squash are very sensitive to heat.
http://www.ag.arizona.edu/gardening/...rden_woes.html

Newt

*

Newt

*

Thanks for the info.....I am in NC, Raleigh area, I used some soil ammendments but obviously not enough. This fall I will till in about 6" of compost. Do you suggest any particular type of compost since it is heavy red clay?

*

No soil test was done as this was a spur of the moment idea as a tiller was suddenly made available...I really needed TNT and an explosives expert..ha ha.

*

But I will have soil tests done very soon and see if there is anything that will help.

K4lop

PS

Thanks you...the link answered my question except that the bee population all over NC has drastically deminished and I am thinking of trying to get 1 or 2 hives for the future.

*

Can I take the male blossoms and "shake them " or Rub them on the female to increase the probability of pollination?

[backyardgardener]

[align=left]You can rub female flower on the male.* The female flower needs to be fresh.* You can find more about this topic*from reading about pollenating pumpkins.* [/align]
[align=left]I* use a camel hair paint brush and collect the pollen in the morning.* Then rub it inside the male flower.* You should do this in the morning when the flower just open up.[/align]
[align=left]Buy a few mason bee homes.* You can also make them yourself.[/align]
[align=left]http://www.masonbeehomes.com/[/align]
*

[Newt]

Gerry, great advice from Backyardgardener!* I just happen to have a great pumpkin site that explains it.
http://www.pumpkinnook.com/howto/pollen.htm

Compost is great for amending clay soils.* We have heavy red clay here in Maryland too and it's some tough stuff.* I've found that compost has really helped over the years.* You can make your own but you probably won't have enough.* Consider purchasing it in bulk as it's less expensive.* Just have a good wheelbarrow ready and lift with your knees.* :?* Here's a compost calculator.
http://www.cedar-grove.com/calculator.asp

Here's more info on making your own mason bee homes.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/no...9/note109.html

Newt