Pot-bound courgettes

[Snoop Puss]

I sowed my courgettes in modules weeks ago, thinking they'd be ready to go out about three weeks ago. But we've had a fairly long spell of chilly nights, so they're still in their modules, 8 x 8 cm each, going out in the daytime and then back indoors at night. Still well below 10 ºC for the next few nights, but we should be back to normal, warmer nights from Monday next week onwards.

I've been feeding them from time to time, so in that respect, they're OK. But today I noticed they're already making small flowers and there are roots emerging from the bottom of the modules. They've got six leaves apiece.

I've read that pot-bound courgettes don't do well and are not very productive. So what do you reckon? Give up and start again or give them a chance?

Thanks for any advice.

[greenishfing]

I'd give them every chance. Mine have been potbound in past years and I 've still been the woman everybody's avoided when I was trying to give courgettes away a month later. Plant them out at the earliest opportunity. If you are in doubt plant backups as well!!!

[Bren In Pots]

Snoop it might be worth potting a few of them on if you have larger pots, leaving the others in the smaller pots. It would be interesting to see if it makes a difference to how many they produce.

[Snoop Puss]

Thanks, guys.

Yes, I reckon starting off more is a good idea, especially if they start to tail off a bit later, which they often do, even in the best of circumstances. Even if I don't have much else, at least I can be guaranteed courgettes!

[rary]

Thanks, guys.

Yes, I reckon starting off more is a good idea!

Snoop could you try cutting off the bottom of the plug where the roots are all packed tight, I don't know if doing this will work but that's what I do if my fuchsia and geraniums get pot bound and it doesn't seem to harm them, more important it will let me know if this works or not, just incase I ever get this problem 🙄😁 With putting this down I think I will let a plant get root bound to see if cutting the bottom of the root system will work🙂 I will let you know

[MelanieSW]

My first early marrows seedlings were planted out about 10 days ago. They seem happy so far, and are flowering.
It's a sheltered spot on the allotment and I put a wind break around the bed.

[Nicos]

This happens to us every year…we get all excited and sow the seeds , then they do really well but far too soon to plant out.
We tend to make sure they get extra feed as by then the compost doesn’t have much to offer the plants…then water well before eventually planting out, giving the roots a good shaking trying to loosen any compacted roots without tearing them before planting them into their final position under fleece.
Mine are under fleece as we speak…potential frosts due this week!

[Snoop Puss]

Thanks, everyone.

rary, I've got more plants than I need, so I could try one, just to see. But I've offered them to the man down the valley. He's bought some plug plants and already put them in, so I'll be interested to see how his do. He might still be glad to have mine. We had a low of 5 ºC last night where mine are due to get planted out, so no frost, but due to get colder still over the next few nights. Frost unlikely, I reckon, but still a bit chilly.

[Bren In Pots]

My courgettes are struggling this year I sown 8 and ended up with 3 plants I like to have 7 plants, I've sown a few more seeds. We're still getting overnight temps of 6c so mine are fleeced in the GH with smaller ones still indoors.