A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Vegetable Gardening blossom end rot on yellow squash

When it happened with the first little squash, I didn't pay it much mind. things happen? but, this weekend I picked off three more 2-3 inch long squash that still had some of the dead bloom attached and the squash was mush. I did some googling on b.e.r. in squash. (I honestly thought BER only affected tomato plants, and was always caused by a lack of calcium?) anyway the googling got me no where. I read it COULD be a lack of calcium, or too much water, or a dry spell, or too much wind, or too much fertilizer.
the only prob I've ever had with yellow squash is bore bugs. so this is all new to me. what should I try to correct the b.e.r. prob? any sugguestions?
(early prolific straightneck is the variety)

Hi Cricket--

An "old-fashioned" source (a book!!) does talk about BER in squash, particularly summer squash & zucchini. This source says the problem is physiologically similar to BER in tomatoes & the "cure is preventative":

* allow the plants plenty of space so they don't touch each other
* keep the soil sweet w/ limestone (pH 6.5-7)
* keep phosphorus level high by using a 5-10-5 fertilizer
* keep soil moisture level stable; mulch if necessary to avoid fluctuations
* if you cultivate, be gentle so as not to disturb surface roots

Source: James Crockett. "Crockett's Victory Garden," 1977. (Found it at a library book sale for $1. Worth a million.)

hey, you gave me a great idea marica! I went and dug out one of the gardening books I bought about a month ago at a garage sale. it's written by a master gardener. I've been leafing through it and found some info on b.e.r. It stressed keeping the moisture level stable above all else for prevention. it also said b.e.r. is most common on the first set of fruits. and just cause you loose some to it in the beginning doesn't mean it will continue throughout the season.
I believe there's hope for them, yet!

Excellent! Good luck, you lucky dawg... my squash seeds are safe & sound on the dining room table. Won't be planting them for several weeks. (I gotta move back down south.)