Skip to content
growing.guide
Menu

Symptom

Small or misshapen fruit

Small or odd-shaped fruit usually means incomplete pollination, a shortage of water or food while it swelled, or too many fruits on the plant.

Small, stunted cucumbers beside a full-sized one

Pinched or curled ends point to pollination; generally small fruit points to water and feeding.

Likely causes

Ordered from the usual answer to the less likely one. Each links to the full problem.

  1. A courgette with a withered flower and a shrivelling fruit Fruiting Common

    Poor pollination

    Curled, pinched or lumpy fruit.
  2. A drooping plant in dry, cracked soil Watering Possible

    Underwatering

    Fruit stays small in dry spells.
  3. Leaves showing yellowing between green veins Soil & nutrients Possible

    Nutrient deficiency

    Pale plant, small fruit, poor feeding.
  4. Oversized radishes with deep cracks beside small, whole ones Watering Less likely

    Uneven watering

    Irregular swelling and splitting.