Cucumber and Zucchinis not growing
by Amy
(Michigan)
I've been growing zucchini, squash, and cucumber for years and have NEVER had a good harvest. I'm not sure if it's pests getting in or not. It seems like every year my plants start off beautiful and healthy, but by mid-summer my zuke stalks are limp and laying on the ground, same with my cukes and squash. They resemble a squid or something, all splayed out on the ground with no firm stalks anymore. They eventually dry up near the spot where they were planted and die.
I've tried slicing the stalks open to look for pests but I've found nothing. When I see eggs I use insecticidal soap immediately. I've tried recovering my dry stalks and tried to get them going again to no avail. I think they get sufficient water, but I do acknowledge they probably don't get quite as much sun as they should.
Any advice? I'm tired of being disappointed and having little yield.