Courgette stems looking poorly

[Maggiethecat]

Courgettes at the allotment have just about managed to survive slug attack but I notice that the stems don’t look very healthy, although leaves are ok-ish and have some flowers.

They don’t appear attacked by slugs, they just look tired and dried out and wonder if the plants will survive.

The site is quite exposed and wonder if the damage is caused by wind drying effect? They are watered daily as I think they need lots of water but wonder if you can overwater?

Photos of 3 separate plants.

Difficult to tell from photos, but maybe stem rot? Have had this on cucumbers and does look like stem is desiccated but is caused by fungus I think?

courgettes need lots of food and water, though, so could be something to look at as well.

Have read about fungal rot too.
They get lots of water and have been feeding with liquid seaweed.

It looks to me as if the stems have split. Not sure that that’s a problem.

Looks like perhaps slug damage that's grown out, they grow fast so shouldn't be a problem as long as it doesn't get nibbled again before getting bigger

I think that's slightly damage from when they were younger and more tasty

This is all amazing stuff to me! Wouldn’t think that stems could be nibbled and the plant survive but here it is that they are in flower.

Ive covered them with thermacrop to protect a bit from
the relentless wind and low temps but don’t want to cover for too long since they’re in flower and don’t know if the cover also provides cover for the slimy ones!