Full grown zucchini that never blossomed - Ask Extension
I have a rather large zucchini - about 8 inches long by three inches wide that is a bit of a mystery because it had an immature flower that never actu...
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Full grown zucchini that never blossomed #876373
Asked July 08, 2024, 3:47 PM EDT
I have a rather large zucchini - about 8 inches long by three inches wide that is a bit of a mystery because it had an immature flower that never actually blossomed and therefore was never pollinated. How can this be? Could it be a hermaphroditic flower?
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Adrienne,
Cucurbits, including zucchini, produce both male and female flowers on the same plant. Unlike tomatoes, squash needs help from pollinators like squash bees to produce fruit. I was unable to verify if any new varieties of squash produce perfect flowers. Most likely pollination did occur either by pollinators or other methods such as wind.
The following is a description of hermaphroditic plants:
"Hermaphroditic plants have male and female reproductive organs within the same flower, like tomatoes and hibiscus. These flowers are oftentimes referred to as bisexual flowers or perfect flowers. Plants that contain male and female reproductive organs on separate flowers on the same plant, like squash and pumpkins, are called monoecious plants. Plants that have male flowers on one plant and female flowers on a separate plant, like kiwi or holly, are known as dioecious plants."
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/female-male-squash-blossoms.htm
https://phys.org/news/2015-11-sexeshow-inhibition-male-production-female.html
I hope this information is helpful, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need more information.
Have a great summer!
Cucurbits, including zucchini, produce both male and female flowers on the same plant. Unlike tomatoes, squash needs help from pollinators like squash bees to produce fruit. I was unable to verify if any new varieties of squash produce perfect flowers. Most likely pollination did occur either by pollinators or other methods such as wind.
The following is a description of hermaphroditic plants:
"Hermaphroditic plants have male and female reproductive organs within the same flower, like tomatoes and hibiscus. These flowers are oftentimes referred to as bisexual flowers or perfect flowers. Plants that contain male and female reproductive organs on separate flowers on the same plant, like squash and pumpkins, are called monoecious plants. Plants that have male flowers on one plant and female flowers on a separate plant, like kiwi or holly, are known as dioecious plants."
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/female-male-squash-blossoms.htm
https://phys.org/news/2015-11-sexeshow-inhibition-male-production-female.html
I hope this information is helpful, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need more information.
Have a great summer!
