Question
Hello Mike,
    I am wondering why the fruit on my Pumpkin Delicata bush does not grow beyond about 3 inches long. The bush seems very healthy and so does the new fruit until it gets to this length. It then shrivels up and dies. When I break the fruit open it seems dry and rubbery inside.  
    As for the beans. They are Purple King Climbing beans. The plants began well with no apparent pest problem until they had crept half way up the trellis. The leaves began to bubble and curl at the end with new leaves seeming to be stunted completely. The vines didn't produce any flowers.
    I would appreciate your advice regarding these problems.
                                       Thankyou Jo-Ann


Answer
Jo-Ann, the problem with your pumpkin bush is referred to a blossom-end rot, a condition when young fruit shrivel and fall off prematurely. This is usually an indication of one of two problems. Either your plants are not being fully pollinated, or they are receiving too much water. The problem with the beans sounds like poor soil conditions, which I will address at the end.

If pollination is the problem due to not having enough bees in the area, you can hand-pollinate the flowers by taking a Q-tip or small paint brush and transferring the pollen from the stamen of the male flower to the female (the female always has a small fruit on the end). This must be done within one day of the female flower blossoming. To attract more bees, grow sunflowers, marigolds, cosmos, or some other bright annuals in the immediate area.  

Remember to continue fertilizing every other week with a fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus, and only supplement enough water to ensure a depth of 1.5" per week. Also, mulch heavily with straw or dried grass clippings around the plants to keep in the moisture and to reduce the need for watering and weeding.  

Finally, amend your soil with as much organic matter as you can get. These materials include dried grass clippings, shredded leaves, compost, aged manure, and peat moss. Soils amended with organic materials seldom have disease-related problems, and always grow healthier crops with much larger harvests. They also improve the drainage in the soil and provide natural nutrients throughout the growing season.  

I hope this answered your question.  Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.  

Regards,  

Mike