Squash Pods – Purple Fuzz

Q: I found purple fuzz covering one of my squash pods. Can you tell me what it is? 

A: It is a baby squash that did not get enough pollen to develop; it simply rotted in place. Seeds send out hormones that signal a fruit (which squash is) to form pulp around themselves. Sometimes, you’ll get a squash that has barely gotten enough pollen to pollinate all of the seeds. They will usually be long and misshapen. The best cure is to plant flowers that pollinators like each year among your squash. The insects will be attracted to your squash flowers to ensure the best pollination possible.