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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.

Recorded on Lemon trees

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

    Poor pollination

    Curled, pinched or lumpy fruit.
  2. Leaves showing yellowing between green veins Soil & nutrients Possible

    Nutrient deficiency

    Pale plant, small fruit, poor feeding.

Less likely on Lemon trees

  1. A drooping plant in dry, cracked soil Watering Possible

    Underwatering

    Fruit stays small in dry spells.
  2. Oversized radishes with deep cracks beside small, whole ones Watering Less likely

    Uneven watering

    Irregular swelling and splitting.