Topic: Question for the Squash specialists... Boston Winter

[chriscross1966]

Is it called that because one squash will do the whole of the city of Boston through the winter?..... THe biggest thing I've got ATM (and I'm growing Atlantic Giant and TOndo di Padana as well as supposed biggies like Lunga di Napoli) is one of the Bostons.....it's the only fruit set on its plant and each time I go up the plot it has got bigger..... it's about the size of a football (soccer) now and the plant doesn't xseem to be interested in putioing out any more female flowers.......

chrisc

[galina]

Chrisc

Are you talking about c maxima 'Boston Marrow'?  If so, the maximum size is around 20 pound, 10 pound is more normal.

[longalot]

chriscross1966 hopefully you did not prune the plant since that might put it off putting out more flowers.
There is a way to force it to put out more flowers. but if your into organic fertilizers only you can not do this.

take 10 cubic centimeters of crushed triple phosphate sprinkle it around base of the plant and water in. 

[chriscross1966]

I don't mean Boston Marrow (I don't think), I mean c. maxima "Boston WInter"... I'll try and get a photograph of it tomorrow.....It looks like it must be a relative of the hubbards..... A lot of my squashes only had a single female pollinated before the conditions seem to have stopped them producing many female flowers and setting the ones they've got......haven't pruned it (or any of the others). I'll go get some superphosphate then....


chrisc

[galina]

I am not familiar with Boston Winter squash, sorry I can't help.  However, your description does sound like 'Boston Marrow'.

If you google BM, there are several pictures on the web.

[1066]

I put some in the swaps Chris, it came from Real Seeds " A very early orange squash from the hubbard group. This keeps well and has dense rich flesh". But being a numpty I managed to kill mine off - decapitated it  :-X

[longalot]

as has been stated before a Boston winter squash is a Boston marrow.

[galina]

I put some in the swaps Chris, it came from Real Seeds " A very early orange squash from the hubbard group. This keeps well and has dense rich flesh". But being a numpty I managed to kill mine off - decapitated it  :-X

1066, sorry yours are gone, no sideshoots either?
 
That explains it.  RealSeeds call it 'Boston Squash' and leave the 'Marrow' out, presumably not to confuse British customers by the word 'marrow'.  Always a bad idea changing variety names without explanation, even if it is for good reasons. 

[Jeannine]

It is the same thing.and IS a Hubbard. Should grow to  about 16 inches long x 12 inches wide. One of my faves as it makes great pie if I run out of my Sugars.

Re early...mmm well compared to some squash maybe..but on the whole I cannot agree formally with this whatever Realseeds say, it depends on what they are comparing it to.

XX Jeannine

[1066]

I put some in the swaps Chris, it came from Real Seeds " A very early orange squash from the hubbard group. This keeps well and has dense rich flesh". But being a numpty I managed to kill mine off - decapitated it  :-X

1066, sorry yours are gone, no sideshoots either?
 
That explains it.  RealSeeds call it 'Boston Squash' and leave the 'Marrow' out, presumably not to confuse British customers by the word 'marrow'.  Always a bad idea changing variety names without explanation, even if it is for good reasons. 

That does explain it - why do folks change the names?! Probably to keep us all guessing!!

Anyway - no there weren't any side shoots, it was shortly after it was planted out. Oh well, next year. In fact I think "oh well next year" is my mantra at the moment  :D

1066  :)