Most plants start out as a small piece of root, shoot, and leaf tissue that grow together in an area with adequate sunlight and water. As they develop, these parts separate into different plant organs.
As your zuke plant matures, however, it can run into trouble. Sometimes, internal growth processes cause some part of the stem to break off or collapse. This occurs when fluid is trapped within the plant and causes pressure which weakens the stem enough for it to give way.
If this happens frequently, the growing tip may stop developing and the plant will not produce fully mature fruits and/or seeds.
This article will talk about what might be causing your zuke to suffer from stem splits and how to address them. It will also discuss potential reasons why you should not worry too much about this yet.
The plant is getting too much water
When your zuke plant gets wet for longer than it should, which can happen due to excessive rainfall or when it is watered during the night, it will begin to develop cracks or splits in its stem.
This happens because as the plant receives more moisture, its roots grow closer to the surface, which could cause it to dry out slightly.
The plant needs more nutrients
Recent reports indicate that your zucchini plant may be suffering from something called zinc deficiency. This can happen when you feed your plants less zinc than necessary.
Zinc is an essential mineral for healthy growth in almost every living thing, including vegetables!
It helps regulate cell activity and communication within cells. It also aids in creating protein to keep your body functioning properly.
Sadly, most of us are not getting enough zinc through food or direct exposure to it. That’s because most of our eating habits include lots of processed foods and meat, which have very little trace amounts of this important nutrient.
Another factor is limited intake due to digestive issues like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
When there’s no source of zinc available to your vegetable plant, it cannot thrive and grow correctly. As a result, it produces lower yields and thinner leaves.
That’s why it makes sense to give your veggie plant some extra attention by investing in a good pot and compost. If it still doesn’t improve, try adding a leaf or two of nutritional spinach powder as a topdressing.
However, if its shape starts changing dramatically, it might be time to say goodbye and start looking forward to warmer weather.
The plant needs more space
If your zuke plants are constantly developing their leaves but the stem is breaking down, it may be because they do not have enough room to grow!
Zukes will slowly get bigger as they develop their roots and its foliage, but once they reach that stage, the stalk begins to break down so that the plant can store the nutrients in it.
If this happens at the beginning of spring when the plant is just starting to come back after winter, you can simply cut off the broken part and let the rest of the plant keep growing.
It is not enough sunlight
Although sun exposure can help your zuke plant thrive, if it does not get adequate light, it will eventually stop growing. If you notice that this happens at around the same time it starts developing leaves or flowers, then it is clear that something is wrong.
The plants need sufficient light to produce chlorophyll, which helps photosynthesis occur. This process uses energy from the sun to create chemical compounds such as glucose and starch, which we humans use for fuel.
If there is no light, these chemicals cannot be produced, and thus the plant will slowly starve to death.
Because zukes are winter annuals, they grow quickly during the summer months and then die off in the fall and early spring when temperatures drop. During those cold seasons, the plant cannot maintain its survival by producing food.
It is too much sunlight
This can be due to excessive sun exposure, which results in your plant receiving enough light but not enough nutrients. If this is the case, your zuke will need some help consuming needed vitamins and minerals.
Making sure your pot of zukes gets adequate darkness and indirect lighting is important so they can photosynthesize and grow.
Another option would be to cover part or all of the plants with mulch to reduce exposed soil that might receive more light. This could also help promote growth as it helps keep the roots cool.
If you notice brownish leaves, this may indicate low iron levels in the plant. You should definitely give your zuke an extra helping hand by adding an iron supplement or leafing up the plant.
It is not enough space between plants
If your plant gets much tighter than it was before, then it may need more room to grow. You can either move the pot around or add extra soil to make room for it.
If you notice that its leaves are yellowed and thinned out, this could be due to lack of nutrients in the soil. You should check to see if these plants require special fertilizer by looking at their leaf tips. If they look very pale and limp, try giving them some general fertilizers such as peat moss, greens powder, and flower food.
It is too much space between plants
The reason your zuke plant has stopped growing is because it does not have enough nutrients to feed itself. When it needs more food, it can’t find it due to its own overgrowth.
If you notice that some of the leaves are yellowed or brownish in color, this may indicate that the plant lacks chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is an important component of photosynthesis, which means it takes a lot of time for the plant to function without it.
When there isn’t as much light coming through the foliage, the plant doesn’t produce as many glucose molecules, which are needed to make new cells. Overgrown roots also take up extra water and minerals, so they cannot be distributed properly to the rest of the plant.
There are pests on the plant
Sometimes, your plants get attacked by little critters that like to eat vegetables. When this happens, the zuke will develop cracks or even see it break off completely. This is called stem splitting.
When this occurs, there may be ants, aphids, worms, or other small insects feeding on the zucchini. If you notice any of these, it is important to take action quickly!
You can use a spray made for vegetable plants to help prevent this. Make sure to choose a low-risk herbicide if using that option.
Another way to avoid this is to make sure the soil has enough nutrients in it. The plants need adequate amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen to grow properly.
If your plant does start showing signs of stress, we recommend leaving it alone until it recovers and then trying again later.