On 28 Jun 2003 02:57:16 GMT, (Frankhartx) wrote:

From: "Seeker" newsgroups@minusth

I have noticed that the zucchini flowers are falling off at the stem. It
looks almost as if a vermin nibbled them off, yet I know that's not the case
since one of them came off in my hand. It's a very clean break. What could
be the problem?

Squash bears seperate male and female blooms. it is common for the boys to
appear first. The boys form pollen and after awhile drop off, lasting just long
enough for the busy bees to transfer the pollen to the girls. Often the girls
are late to the party so the early boys do not get to be daddies. once the
girls do arrive though it's party time.

What a nice explanation. I'd've said "often male blossoms appear
first..." in a very dull fashion. The boys are at the end of plain,
straight stems. The girls show a promising swelling at the connection
between stem and flower. Some are disappointed. Eventually the
attractive girls appear and there are lots of boys to oblige.