Dying squashes

[annacruachan]

All my butternut and crookneck squashes germinated (indoors with ambient temps) then promptly upped and died on being potted on (still indoors). The Thelma Sanders squashes didn't even germinate. Yet the yellow courgettes and seeds from a Tesco onion squash are romping away, and one unknown squash/courgette hiding in the cayennes is doing fine. I've had no problem with the yellow courgettes either. What on earth am I doing wrong? At least I can't blame the weather! lol!

[SarzWix]

I've never grown crook-neck squashes, but butternuts have always been a bit temperamental. Perhaps they're getting too cold overnight?

[veggiechicken]

I've lost a couple of cukey type things this year, probably through overwatering. The stem at soil level goes yellow, leaves wilt and the plant keels over. They're in the GH and I think they're just not thirsty enough in this cold weather. Good job I've sown plenty of spares!!

[chris]

Strangely, my butternuts have all germinated - yet the others are SLOWLY catching up.. some still haven't germinated - but the seed has swollen ready. Mine are in a cold GH though, with panes of glass missing, so it probably is a bit nippy overnight

Other than being cold, could it have possibly been dampening off? How large were they when you repotted?

[annacruachan]

Temp not a problem since they are in a heated conservatory with the toms, peppers and chillies, but overwatering could be a factor. The conservatory gets really hot when it's sunny and the big plants get soaked several times a day. I've probably sloshed everything! Thanks peeps. Will try again.

[horticultural_hobbit]

I've lost a couple of cukey type things this year, probably through overwatering. The stem at soil level goes yellow, leaves wilt and the plant keels over. They're in the GH and I think they're just not thirsty enough in this cold weather. Good job I've sown plenty of spares!!

Had the same problem, VC. Gone from 9 to six. Am hoping to plant tomorrow. Either from over or under watering. Haven't observed a way of knowing.

Squashes..:: crosses fingers:: have been sat in the 4TB with a fleece at night time. Haven't gone too triffid like, but have two or three pairs of proper leaves. I've ignored them, to be honest. They too are scheduled to go out tomorrow. Been exposed to the real world, with the flap open and been sat outside on the paving.

[buzzingtalk]

I haven't had one Squash germinate this year so far, things are really slow. My pumpkins are now showing through, but its taken them nearly 10 days whereas last year they were up and away in a matter of days

[VirginVegGrower]

I am seeing a fair few germination issues this year, where normally I have zero problems. Despite using heated props this year too. I am putting it down to dark forces

[SimplyCongy]

Glad for this thread... I was half tempted to ditch my non germinated squashes as a bad batch...

[WPG]

I think my courgettes are ready to be planted out, under a cloche. The stem on most of them is around 1 to 2 inches - am I supposed to bury this stem, or plant out exactly as grown in the pot? Could such a long stem support the plant?

[rustylady]

I think my courgettes are ready to be planted out, under a cloche. The stem on most of them is around 1 to 2 inches - am I supposed to bury this stem, or plant out exactly as grown in the pot? Could such a long stem support the plant?
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You can bury the plant so the seed leaves sit on the surface of the soil. However, I would start hardening yours off now - you'll be asking for trouble planting them straight out.

[SarzWix]

The biggest problem I've had with the squash-y things is legginess. They all decided to emerge overnight and by the time I got them out of the prop they were about half a foot long! I had to pot them up into tall rose pots, and then be extra vigilant about not over-watering them. They're surviving, but not thriving yet...

[WPG]

Thanks for the advice Rustylady, will start hardening them off first. It's my first time growing courgettes from seed rather than buying from garden centre. I agree Sarzwix, they seem to go leggy so quick - in particular my courgette romanesco seedlings seemed to grow a gigantic long stem overnight.

[Normans Mum]

I've sown some romanesco. Seem very reluctant to show their shoots... had a furtle around in the compost and they are germinating, just taking their time. However, squashes and marrows are going like the clappers !