My zucchini plants are flowering but are not reproducing. Some of the flowers appear to be wilting and falling off at the base of the plant. Other flowers are big and wide open, and I have seen many insects pollinating the flowers, but still no fruit. Is there any thing I can do to still help my plants to bear fruit? Thank you, Patricia Pugliese

Zucchini plants are in the same family as cucumbers and other squashes. They have both male and female flowers. Male flowers are going to appear first in the crown of the plant on longer thin flower stems. The female flower will appear soon after on thicker shorter stems (to be able to support the developing fruit). Both kinds have to be present together along with the insects you have noted. You cannot rush "Mother Nature", when the plants are able to support producing fruit, they will appear. Extremes in weather will postpone fruit development as will too much fertilizer. Vine crops also prefer hot weather.

Sincerely, Richard Hentschel