Question re All Green Bush Courgettes

[21again]

Am I right in thinking this type of courgette does not need staking or anything to grow up?

I bought a couple of square planters which are about 12" wide and 14" deep and was wondering if I can grow them in these.

[gojiberry]

Most courgettes are bush type, although even the bush type do spread a little during the course of a growing season. Squashes, marrows and pumpkins tend to be the ones that trail all over the place and try to take over the whole garden.

Ian

[womble]

I think that size of container is smaller than is recommended, but why don't you try, at worst you will get smaller plants with less fruits on them.

[21again]

Most courgettes are bush type, although even the bush type do spread a little during the course of a growing season. Squashes, marrows and pumpkins tend to be the ones that trail all over the place and try to take over the whole garden.

Ian

Best I get googling about all of these seedlings that I am growing!

Ta!

[21again]

I think that size of container is smaller than is recommended, but why don't you try, at worst you will get smaller plants with less fruits on them.

Well I have two plants growing so I'll put one in each and see how we go.

[Lazgaot]

...and they are thirstier than a thirsty thing when it gets hot, so make sure your planting medium is water retentive and not loose compost that dries out very quickly.

[21again]

...and they are thirstier than a thirsty thing when it gets hot, so make sure your planting medium is water retentive and not loose compost that dries out very quickly.

I have Miracle Gro all purpose compost and some vermiculite to mix in with it and I am out in the garden every day so I can keep an eye on them.

[tootles]

I haven't really worked out courgettes yet...............
Last year I grew a supposed bush variety (I think - non coureuse) and they spread all the way down the bed and out of the fence at the end. The last few that I picked were almost on the flower bed across the other side of the path. They also had climbing tendrils growing out of the main stem??!!

So I have no useful advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Two_Sheds]

I have Miracle Gro all purpose compost and some vermiculite to mix in with it.

Vermiculite will make the compost even more free-draining ... it would be better to mix in some shredded sponge or water-retaining granules.

[21again]

Vermiculite will make the compost even more free-draining ... it would be better to mix in some shredded sponge or water-retaining granules.

I was told by someone that it helped retain water, I have been mixing it will my Miracle Gro to grow my seeds and plants in (rasberry and blackberry canes etc), should I not have put it in there either?

[21again]

I haven't really worked out courgettes yet...............
Last year I grew a supposed variety (I think - non coureuse) and they spread all the way down the bed and out of the fence at the end. The last few that I picked were almost on the flower bed across the other side of the path. They also had climbing tendrils growing out of the main stem??!!

So I have no useful advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like it is going to be a BIG learning curve!

[MrsC]

I was told by someone that it helped retain water, I have been mixing it will my Miracle Gro to grow my seeds and plants in (rasberry and blackberry canes etc), should I not have put it in there either?

21again, I understand that Vermiculite does retain and hold water and therefore there helps with the watering issue

[21again]

21again, I understand that Vermiculite does retain and hold water and therefore there helps with the watering issue

Thanks Mrs C.

I was sure that is what I was told. I rang a local Hydroponics shop to ask about the price of it as I wanted to have a go at square foot gardening.

He said they didn't sell it and told me it retained water and they used perlite as that expanded to keep air in the soil, or something like that.

[HayleyB]

The size of your container does sound too small at least width wise. I grew 25 Green Bush last year and their leaves alone reached that size. They travel a way too - toward the end of the season their fruit stems had gone quite a distance (they produce many fruits) They are very hungry (I'd manured the bed) and like loads of water.

[sez]

Stupid question but can you lop the odd stem off a courgette without killing it? I have to grow mine in pots/growbags on the patio and they have a habit of sticking out a whopping great stem somewhere awkward!