If pumpkin blossoms suddenly fall off, this does not necessarily indicate a disease or pest infestation. Pumpkin blossoms also “suddenly” fall off naturally.
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Pumpkin Blossoms
pumpkins, bot. Cucurbita, are monoecious. Unlike many other plants, the flowers are unisexual. So the squash develops male and female flowers on one plant specimen. Both flowers have a calyx that is between six and ten centimeters long. Female flowers have a short stalk. They are often no more than three to four inches off the ground. The stem of the male flowers, on the other hand, is significantly longer. The fruit only develops when both flowers are present and pollination by insects, in this country these are bees and bumblebees, takes place.
natural causes
Female squash blossoms only bloom for one day. They usually rise an hour before sunrise and wither in the morning of the same day. If the flowers have not been pollinated during this time, they will fall off as they are of no further use to the plant. This also applies to male flowers. These appear 10 to 14 days before the females and fall off when insects are not visiting the flowers. They also fall off when they are no longer needed for pollination. Since the squash plant usually develops more male than female flowers, the excess male flowers, which are of no use to the plant, are shed.
Measures:
In this case, no action is necessary as it is a natural process.
dryness
If the pumpkin suffers from a lack of water, it throws off flowers and young fruits.
Measures:
- Provide plants with sufficient water
- However, avoid waterlogging, this is not well tolerated
- Long-term: Adapt watering behavior to the thirst of the pumpkin plants
Soft bugs (Miridae)
Bugs are sucking insects that feed on the sap of plants. The Lygus ruglipennis bug also stings the flowers, causing the flowers to fall off prematurely. The bug is particularly common in greenhouses and is widespread in Central Europe.
Measures:
- Containment of bugs with natural enemies, such as parasitic wasps
- special insecticides from specialist shops
frequently asked Questions
Pumpkin plants tend to develop a lot of flowers, especially in dry and hot summers. These are mostly male flowers, which are necessary for the pollination of the female flowers. When they have served their purpose, the plant discards them. Since it is a natural process, you do not need to take any action. However, if you want to pollinate by hand, you should regularly check the pumpkin for male flowers.
Indirectly, waterlogging is a cause of falling flowers, since the roots begin to rot if waterlogging persists. Once the process has started, the pumpkin plant can no longer supply its above-ground parts with water and nutrients, which leads to the loss of flowers.
Nutrient deficiency or excess, for example if too little or too much has been fertilized, can indirectly lead to the loss of flowers. However, you can primarily recognize these consequences by looking at the leaves.
Nothing is known about a special disposal of fallen pumpkin blossoms.
