Courgette problems again!

Andrew Kenneth

Could anyone please explain why my courgettes have stopped growing?
They have fruits but they haven't got any larger since 10 days ago!
This year I have renewed all soil in containers and added manure etc....
This is the 3 rd year in a row that they have failed and if I don't succeed this year then that's it. I've put them in different areas each year and the same thing happens.
I've noticed this year that all the flowers are kind of twisted and have failed to open.
I live in Northern Spain, could heat be a problem? They do have ventilation.
Any help appreciated.
Thank you.

philippasmith2

Just be patient.  Your first pic shows fruit forming.  It's not unusual for male flowers to appear first.

Dwrgi

Hi, 
Im not much help I know, but I've been having trouble with my courgettes too this year. Didn't have much joy last year either. 
Maby they're not being pollinated? I companion plant a lot (mixing ornamental with edibles) and those near flowers are much better, i mean veggies in general, my courgette is still miniscule in comparison. 

I know I've had a lot more success with yellow courgettes compared to green ones. No idea why.

Skandi

Andrew Kenneth said:

I live in Northern Spain, could heat be a problem? They do have ventilation.
Any help appreciated.

Ventilation? Are they inside? they don't want to be inside even up where I am, so yes excess heat may well be your problem, but all those flowers apart from a couple that are not open yet are male, so be patient.

StephenSouthwest

It looks like those are male flowers, so what you have behind them are stems, not fruit, and therefore will not get bigger. Female flowers are likely on their way.

There are a lot of what look like snapped stems - I wonder if leaves could be left on to feed the plant, even if not perfect.

As Skandi says - heat could well be a problem - I would put them outside.

(Do the containers have drainage? They could be too dry or too wet.)

floralies

I think they would do much better outside, even in the heat, as long as they are well watered. Mine are outside and producing plenty of courgettes now, and it has been very hot here. I am just over the Pyrenees.

Andrew Kenneth

Andrew Kenneth

I just find it unusual that there are some fruits about 5cms long but haven't grown anymore for the last 10 days. Regards planting outdoors. I have tried that on various occasions and the same thing happens.This year I have even put a layer of straw on top to stop them drying out. The temps here are getting up to 38/40° and I think that's my problem.
When my father in law had this plot 25 years ago he had no problems at all, lots of courgettes but the summer temps here have risen quite a lot.

fidgetbones

Lack of pollination often leads to the fruit not expanding. I would put them outside, and make sure you water well.

Andrew Kenneth

(Do the containers have drainage? They could be too dry or too wet.)

They have good drainage. This year I put plenty of gravel in the mix

Andrew Kenneth

I'll just have to be patient and see how it goes.
Thanks for all the help