courgette nerves

[billybeanstalk]

Hello,

sorry, new to forums and vegetable growing so not sure if i'm breaching etiquette of some kind. However, have started growing courgettes for the first time, not sure of the breed as it was given to me by a kind friend, however it seems to be flourishing in pot on roof terrace. Have developed (somewhat alarmingly) a cloying parent style attitude towards the plant. Really was just hoping to find out what to do with runtish (for want of a better word) courgettes i.e the ones that don't grow very big and whither early. Is it a good idea to lop them off early, or does one just leave them to take their natural course.

Also My beetroot really struggled in large, deep tray...is it pretty much impossible to grow them on roof terrace?

thanks and sorry for beginner questions!

[SarzWix]

Not a breach of etiquette, I just think you'll get more responses if you have your own thread. Welcome to the Vine
I'm sorry I can't be more help, but I've never grown courgettes or beetroot in containers I know that courgettes in the ground quite often produce a few dodgy ones before they get into full swing. I usually just cut them off and wait for the better ones to come along.

[Pies]

If they look like thbey are going to wither up lop them of,it saves the plants energy for producing decent courgettes

[deezyb]

hi billybeanstalk - welcome! I grown my courgettes in pots, I usually have one or two squishy withered ones to begin with and always cut them off immediately - like Pies says, if you keep the withered ones, the energy does not to go to the rest of the plant. My courgettes are starting to grow and are very healthy! I've got a trough with beetroot in, a bit of an experiment, they seem to be growing, but not as quickly as they are in the ground! I don't imagine it's impossible though! Have fun!

[Alice]

Welcome to the Vine Billybeanstalk.
Just cut off the withered courgettes. It's usual to get 1 or 2 like that to start with. It just means they haven't been fertilized. You need to get male and female flowers at the same time - but don't worry, it will happen.
I would think it is perfectly possible to grow beetroot in a container . Did they get enough water ?

[ChrisG]

I wouldn't let your courgettes get too big, they are very tasty as babies, 3-4 ins long.

[Florence Fennel]

Welcome Billybeanstalk, I have courgettes in builder's buckets and in a clapped out wheelbarrow, all doing well and starting to fruit at the same time as the ones in the ground. Good job I like courgettes and being very generous don't mind giving them away, because with all these plants I'm in for a bumper crop! Sorry can't comment on the beetroot as mine is in the ground, but I don't see why it shouldn't grow in a container, most other things will.

[billybeanstalk]

thanks everyone! thats exactly the reassurance I needed! had a delicious (even if I say so myself) courgette tarte with mozzarella, tarragon and sundried tomato. Happy days. Will be having a go at beetroot again next year.

[RedThorn]

hi and welcome. as said above. Ooh that sounds great! Keep at it, why not try the beetroot again now?

[Alice]

You've certainly got plenty of time to resow the beetroot Billybeanstock.
And do you know you can eat the tops - the green bits - if they're young and tender put them in the salad, if they've got a bit older and tougher then add them to the stir fry, steam them or cook them in butter with garlic, onions and anything else you like.
If you're a garlic fan you could grow some in a container on your roof garden next year. Plant in October.