Same problems. I do have some sort of beetles (stink bugs?) and have been spraying eggs, hatchlings, adults every day, but the issue(s) still persist - looks like the blooms are all "boy" blooms, too. My zucchini has had two on it - one turning yellow and still about 5 inches long, the other newest one may grow, but I'm not holding my breath. The straight neck bloomed and no squash, now the newest leaves are wrinkling up funny. If I can find another plant, I'm pulling up the first one & going to start over. Also, TONS of cucumber blooms - I've seen pollinators on them, but very few cukes. Tomatoes are doing very well - thank goodness!
Thanks for your post, MissMagnolia. We truly are able to commiserate with each other!
I guess with this being my 2nd year at serious study of gardening and my first ever to try for vegetables, I’m not doing to terribly. It is quite humbling to realize that there is so very much to learn, and such a need for patience, research, vigilance, and ACTION!
I’m so grateful for this thread and all its participants who are helping accelerate my attempts.
I neglected to mention in my earlier comment to you, that the neem oil seems to have gotten rid of at least some of the herd of squash bugs I was plagued with! I also have some insect killer soap which seems to be helpful as well.
TArcher gave me a bunch of info on neem oil in last week’s thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3036854/posts
Post 160:
“It’s listed as a pesticide.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/PNAI/pnaishow.php?id=53
It’s also toxic to honey bees, and should only be applied in the evening when bees won’t bee doing their beedniss.”
~ ~ ~
The soap I [texokie] bought yesterday is:
http://www.saferbrand.com/search?search=Insect+Killing+Soap&x=15&y=10
The one I bought is the 32 oz container
Now we’ll wait and see if I was able to drive off the critters in time to actually have a harvest!