Topic: Squash nest box

[supersprout]

Couldn't wait any longer! I wanted to get at least one of each variety chitting early, here they are in the perfect 'nests'. Nothing sacred in my household ;D

[marshwiggle]

What happens next please?

[Mrs Ava]

They would look interesting floating in a G&T!  ;D

[supersprout]

Hi marsh, will wait til a little sprout is out, and pot up. I will do another planting at the usual time, in ten days or so - this is the 'earlies'.
LOL@e-j, you might feel a bit seedy next day


Arg :-[

[tilts]

This is going to be my first year doing squash, is it necessary to do this, can you tell me ~ why not put straight into seed compost?

[supersprout]

Quite right tilts, I normally do for my main planting - the less seeds get faffed around with, the better I think. But I wanted some guaranteed early plants of a big range this year, so am chitting a couple of each earlier than usual. It's an experiment. Sometimes I let my compost get a little damp and the seeds sulk and go mouldy, so I hope to ensure there are viable sprouts before these early ones go in the compost. I have also planted squash directly outside in mid-May in the ground :o for later plants, but it's hard to wait isn't it?

[Robert_Brenchley]

I put them somewhere really warm to germinate; that seems to be the key. Once they've started, temperature doesn't seem to be quite as critical.

[supersprout]

I'm sure you're right about the initial sprouting temp being the one to achieve Robert. They are in the warmest room in the house to sprout. I wanted to be sure I could see them 'break cover', then they'll go on the windowsill in pots with the toms, marigolds, artichokes etc. etc. and take their chance like the rest of us!

[bennettsleg]

for two years running we've just shoved them in some potting compost and left them in the kitchen.  The patty pans were enormous and grew like mad (inc the fruits); the autum squash were low fruiters and the butternut were average.

This year ours are healthy and 4" tall; when they get a bit bigger we'll pot them on (peat pot included for minimum root distubance) till they're about 10" hgih, then they'll go into the ground.

does the chitting produce a higher yield or is it just to get a few early plants in?

[supersprout]

It's to do with wanting early examples of these squash. I don't think there's any advantage in chitting except to be absolutely sure as soon as possible that the 'early' squash get started - if I had two non-viable seeds and no sprout shows, I can get new ones started in four or five days, rather than a fortnight! I don't usually like fussing over me veg ;)
First to chit went into pots this morning:
Crown Prince
Thelma Sanders
Honey Boat Delicata
Black Futsu
Buttercup

Watching the rest like a hawk!