Blue Hubbard Squash

[Paulieb]

In my eagerness for seed purchases earlier in the year, I went for an unusual winter squash in the Blue Hubbard (at the time for the 'excellent taste').

Now after further research and 5 out of 5 have germinated (typical), I realise I need to buy a couple of fields for these monsters!!!!

How much space can I get away with giving them?
Could I put them in a big pot, 50cm wide, (1 per pot) and let them ramble?
Or could I train them to climb with the right scaffolding?

Or would it just be best to rehome them?

I am prepared to try something that might not work. And also got 7 seeds left for next year?!?

[Florence Fennel]

I think you can train them to grow in circles Paulie, try doing a bit of a search on here. I grow squash/pumpkins/courgettes in tires and this certainly works unless they are huge which the pumpkins were last year and got a bit out of hand! I know that other grapes have grown them up supports.

[Two_Sheds]

Pumpkins are very thirsty plants: you need to make sure the roots have enough room.

It's better to grow 2 plants well than squeeze all 5 plants in and do them badly.

[zazen999]

What space have you got?

I plant mine in the corners of beds and let them ramble around the paths. So not much 'growing' space taken at all.

[chris]

I've probably got about 40 squash on the go now, but as I'm holding out for a closer allotment, I'm planning on just having pretty much half a squash allotment (Idea being, it'll help smother the weeds out, making it a bit easier to tackle, etc)

[northepaul]

Last year I couldnt get my squash seeds to germinate until it was far too late - this year I planted 6 and yes you guessed it, all of them have germinated and are going great guns. I am planning on growing one variety (of three plants) at the lottie (so they dont cross pollinate for one thing) and one at home on a peice of land that is very long but not wide, I figured they can go where they like there.
As I said, I have not had any luck with squashes before, so fingers crossed!!
I have 3 potimarron and 3 sweet potato ones from real seeds.

[chris]

Are you saving the seeds thea?

It did cross my mind, but then I got greedy, and sowed 3 of each type.. I think I'm up to 15 types now. figured any I like, I can make an effort to isloate/hand pollinate next year

[ginger ninger]

It did cross my mind, but then I got greedy, and sowed 3 of each type.. I think I'm up to 15 types now. figured any I like, I can make an effort to isloate/hand pollinate next year

*Ginge has a little giggle to herself* Good luck with that Chris, I tried it 2 year ago with only 3 squash types...I failed .

[chris]

What's that, saving the seeds? or growing so many types!

I'll be down the plot with a paintbrush, I can assure you!

[ginger ninger]

What's that, saving the seeds? or growing so many types!

I'll be down the plot with a paintbrush, I can assure you!

Saving the seeds. I've managed it in the past with my "Red Kuri". I was soooo sure I'd managed to catch the flowers just as they opened, but some little insect must have got to them before me . I used a small paintbrush and popped a plastic bag over the flower after I'd had...cough cough...squash sex , but it wasn't to be. I'd even waited until the second & third flowers, just in case the first one wasn't any good. Fingers crossed you have more success than me Chris .

[chris]

I know someone who lets them get pollinated naturally, but still saves the seeds just to see what they get. She had a courgette shaped like a willy before (with testicles), etc. Sounds fun

Shame it doesn't work cross-families.. A pumpkin sized strawberry? cor!

[ginger ninger]

I know someone who lets them get pollinated naturally, but still saves the seeds just to see what they get. She had a courgette shaped like a willy before (with testicles), etc. Sounds fun

Ooow Errrrrrr, can you imagin the faces on some of the old guys at the allotment when
THEY started to grow .

[vicky]

It's worth a try - if you just manage to hand pollinate ONE female flower you'll have seeds for life! Chris are you in my Squash seed circle 'cos it sounds like you should be...!

[King Carrot]

If you're going to do this sex thing you really need to use protection to keep the flowers from opening before you get there, preventing the "intended" male and female flowers from getting pollen on them from another squash family member via an insect.

Don't forget to "bag up" afterwards too!

I'm using ones, herself made me from insect mesh and I'll tie them on with hairy string or a rubber band.

[chris]

It's worth a try - if you just manage to hand pollinate ONE female flower you'll have seeds for life! Chris are you in my Squash seed circle 'cos it sounds like you should be...!

Dont think so, having a look for it now I am thinking of building an isolation tunnel to save seeds!!