Troubleshooting
Patty Pan Squash problems — and how to fix them
Patty Pan Squash (Cucurbita pepo 'Sunburst') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Powdery mildew
White dusty coating on leaves late in the season; improve airflow, water at the base, and remove the worst foliage.
Poor fruit set
Tiny fruits yellow and rot when flowers go unpollinated; encourage bees or hand-pollinate male to female flowers in the morning.
Blossom-end rot
Sunken brown patch at the flower end from erratic watering and calcium uptake stress; keep moisture even and mulch.
Over-mature fruit
Left too long, fruits turn tough, seedy and bland; pick every two to three days while still tender to keep plants productive.
Prevent patty pan squash problems before they start
Most patty pan squash issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for patty pan squash in general rather than its problems? Read the full patty pan squash care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Patty Pan Squash problems — FAQ
Why is my patty pan squash powdery mildew?
White dusty coating on leaves late in the season; improve airflow, water at the base, and remove the worst foliage.
Why is my patty pan squash poor fruit set?
Tiny fruits yellow and rot when flowers go unpollinated; encourage bees or hand-pollinate male to female flowers in the morning.
Why is my patty pan squash blossom-end rot?
Sunken brown patch at the flower end from erratic watering and calcium uptake stress; keep moisture even and mulch.
Why is my patty pan squash over-mature fruit?
Left too long, fruits turn tough, seedy and bland; pick every two to three days while still tender to keep plants productive.