Cucurbit growing 2017

[1Bee]

I'm dreadful at planting spacings...

My marrow (Tiger Cross) has finally germinated but is looking very odd. Very leggy and the first true leaves are tiny and delicate. Hmmm.

[Chris11]

Courgettes have now mainly been transferred up to larger pots, and are being hardened off outside in the daytime, and back in the greenhouse overnight.

Cucurbits are amazing, they grow so fast. Such a contrast with chillies, that sometimes hardly appear to change for weeks on end at the start of the season.

[poly]

I've roasted my Achocha's, well steamed them to be more accurate
Will resow if I have seeds left

Pleased my first squash sowing are all up and growing on well, even the two old ones I was dubious about getting to germinate. I've a couple of Silver Bell plants but only the one plant of Olive Verte (from about 8 seeds sown of these two varieties). Overall so far germination has been high this year.

Second squash sowing of;

Australian Blue
Behemoth Cousin 15
Blue Kuri
Chicargo Warted
Ebisu
Japanese Pumpkin
Potimarron 15
Queensland Blue
Sibley
Uncle David’s Dakota Dessert

Shark’s Fin

High Sugar Mix
Mars F1 pumpkin
Jack O’ Lantern


(Moschata)
Angelique
Barbara F1
Black Futsu
Caipira
Sonca
Tromboncino

Just went in the propagator.

[poly]

Forgot to add, first Courgette are forming

[bario1]

Do you run a six acre squash farm, Poly?

[poly]

I wish!

Most of my plot is dug and prepared although realistically I'm not going to be able to grow much veg this year, so I wanted to keep the plot ticking over without too much involvement. Lots of squash grown through mulch seemed to fit the bill.

[poly]

My first 3 varieties of squash are planted in their final position.

How many squash plants would you put in a 24ft X 4ft bed ? I'm planning on 9. But I know I will have more ( unsuccessful sales stock ), that obviously can't be put to death!!!

If they have room to spill over I'd go for 11 or 12, but it would depend on the varieties. Have you any that could be grown upwards?

[Small pumpkin]

If they have room to spill over I'd go for 11 or 12, but it would depend on the varieties. Have you any that could be grown upwards?

Thanks poly, that's great news! I have room for spillage
I'm not sure about vertical growing varieties I think sweet dumpling does ? Would it be alright going up a Cane wigwam?
I really must remember to research all my other varieties.

Squash vegetable spaghetti.
Squash acorn table King
Squash Queensland blue
Squash warted Hubbard
Squash jumbo pink banana
Squash Turks turban
Squash sweet dumpling
Squash summer sunburst f1

I'm growing wee-be-little pumpkin and Tromboncino courgette up an arch for the first time this year. Varieties and arch are new for this year.
In fact all the squash apart from spaghetti are new this year

[vixylix]

My cucumbers have finally been sown, along with a second sowing of butternut squash (with newer seed) as there is one very poorly survivor from the first sowing

[Snowwhyte]

I had a voucher for Thompson and Morgan so bought two new kinds of pumpkin seed, racer and hooligan. Need to sow them soon. Also got an extra cucumber called Obelix. I need to start planting my stuff out.

[poly]

Thanks poly, that's great news! I have room for spillage
I'm not sure about vertical growing varieties I think sweet dumpling does ? Would it be alright going up a Cane wigwam?
I really must remember to research all my other varieties.

Squash vegetable spaghetti.
Squash acorn table King
Squash Queensland blue
Squash warted Hubbard
Squash jumbo pink banana
Squash Turks turban
Squash sweet dumpling
Squash summer sunburst f1

I'm growing wee-be-little pumpkin and Tromboncino courgette up an arch for the first time this year. Varieties and arch are new for this year.
In fact all the squash apart from spaghetti are new this year

I don't often grow squash vertically, ideally you're looking for a trailing and not too large a fruiting type, and you're right Sweet Dumpling are well suited, I think a cane wigwam will do nicely, though you might need to tie them in to begin with, to get them started. I'd guess Summer Sunburst being a summer squash is going to be more of a compact grower and not suitable, but it does mean if you are growing several they will need less spacing between them.

Table King is also quite a compact grower so again not so suitable for growing up.

Pink Banana and Queensland Blue although trailing types are fairly large fruited so perhaps not so easy as fruit would need support.

I've not grown Warted Hubbard (but suspect being a hubbard it gets quite large) Turks turban or Vegetable Spaghetti, is that the same as Shark's Fin? That does climb extremely well and gets quite some distance given the chance!

Wee-be Little sound so cute

[Small pumpkin]

I don't often grow squash vertically, ideally you're looking for a trailing and not too large a fruiting type, and you're right Sweet Dumpling are well suited, I think a cane wigwam will do nicely, though you might need to tie them in to begin with, to get them started. I'd guess Summer Sunburst being a summer squash is going to be more of a compact grower and not suitable, but it does mean if you are growing several they will need less spacing between them.
Table King is also quite a compact grower so again not so suitable for growing up.

Pink Banana and Queensland Blue although trailing types are fairly large fruited so perhaps not so easy as fruit would need support.

I've not grown Warted Hubbard (but suspect being a hubbard it gets quite large) Turks turban or Vegetable Spaghetti, is that the same as Shark's Fin? That does climb extremely well and gets quite some distance given the chance!

Wee-be Little sound so cute

Cool my afternoons research came up with the similar answer as you've said, that's a surprise! I'm rubbish at research
I've just gooooogled shark's fin, it's definitely different to vegetable spaghetti.
I'm getting very excited about all the squash and pumpkins growing this season
Thanks for your help poly

[Snowwhyte]

Have got most of my squash out into big pots on the patio. I'm a bit careless with labelling so it'll be a surprise when they start to fruit. Anyone got any flowers yet?

[Newbiegrower1970]

I've planted mine on the allotment but they are still only about 6 in tall

[mic]

Selection on cucumbers with some mysterious Chinese watermelon/cucuamelon hiding somewhere.
Another few sugar baby plants and hopefully 4 butter squash plants to squeeze in the GH somewhere when they hatch