"Justin Henry" wrote in message
.net...
I noticed that large chunks of my summer crookneck squash plants were
dying
because their stems seemed to have been shredded by some pest. Reading
says
that it's stem borers laying their eggs in there. Anyone have experience
with this? Suggested cure is to pile more soil around lowest part of the
stems to about 6".

Also, does anyone know how I can increase the fertilization percentage?
I've
had about 100 flowers that have amounted to nothing and only a few actual
veggies come from these plants. Quite disappointing, considering their
amazing growth rate.

-Justin



You were supposed to pile the soil on well before this time, so that the
plant would set down another set of roots...you are pretty much toast at
this time, next time either dust with sevin or spray with bt to kill the
larvae before it bores into the plant...

as far as the other problem is concerned is pollination...now you have to
check wether you have male or female flowers....the male flowers have what
looks like a mini squash on the end of the flower, if it does NOT have the
mini squash then it is a female flower and those DO NOT produce squash, so
if you have a whole bunch of female flowers, which the first blush of blooms
generally are female, then pick those and eat them (fried are my favorite
way) or just in a salad. If the males are also dropping off then they are
not being pollinated, pick a female flower and brush it around the male.

Good luck

Tomatolord