Author Topic: How to achieve upright courgette plants? (Read 10494 times)

Digeroo · « **on:** July 05, 2015, 19:43:39 »

My previous plot neighbours had an amazing way of getting their courgette plants to grow upwards rather than along the ground, so they were cropping the courgettes from the top of the plant. And they did not seem to fall over.

Does anyone know how to achieve this? Means tend to loll along the ground and get ever longer. So if you plant them to close as I tend to do you end up with a bit of a mess and it is difficult to find the root for watering.

No stakes were involved. I tried a stake and they just fell over.

johhnyco15 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2015, 20:04:45 »

some variety's have more of a upright habit than other Tromba D'Albenga, is a trailing variety which also grows sort of upright before it trails hope this helps

johhnyco15 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2015, 20:08:16 »

another one is black forest

Digeroo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2015, 21:00:59 »

Tromba is more butternut squash than courgette. Black forest is a climber. Nor were they like Clarita which is semi climbing and has tendrils rather likes a stout cane for support.

These are not climbing varieties but ordinary ones, they seemed to get them to balance and grow upwards. They take up a lot less room that way.

Deb P · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2015, 18:37:51 »

The variety Pandora keeps itself neat and central, it's got yellow fruits and isn't spikey either!

gray1720 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2015, 20:03:44 »

Viagra?

I'll get me coat...

Adrian

Digeroo · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2015, 22:15:40 »

I tried googling Pandora courgette and get all sorts of odd things but no seeds. It must be one of those varieties that have disappeared.

I actually have a yellow courgette that is looking like staying upright.

Number Six · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2015, 16:26:11 »

My 3 yellow courgette plants are growing relatively vertical as my other half has boxed them in with a row of flowers. Consequently the courgette plants are fighting upwards for light.

No impact on the actual courgettes which are growing like crazy - another glut inbound:).

Digeroo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2015, 19:39:51 »

I have one which so far is doing the trick on its own. I have now put a couple of sticks each side to encourage it. What I am not sure about is whether it gets too heavy in the end and breaks off. But I have plenty.

I have sown some carrots too close and they are doing remarkable well, so do not want them swamped.

johhnyco15 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2015, 17:02:20 »

are they like these

Deb P · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2015, 07:44:30 »

I've just googled Pandora courgette seeds........blimey I wasn't expecting that!!!!!!

I think you are right, they must be discontiued now as I couldn't find them online. I have grown them this year from the last of my seeds, I might try saving some! Atena sounds like it is very similar, might be worth a try!

Jayb · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2015, 08:09:51 »

I'm not quite sure I get this?
I'm thinking it's not a climber but a bushy type that kind of sits back on itself, so it grows upwards?

Paulh · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2015, 15:58:25 »

Every courgette variety I've grown has been a bush but presumably there are ones that sprawl and could be trained up?

Courgette Atena mentioned above is the best yellow one I know, reliable and heavy cropping.

theothermarg · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2015, 19:36:40 »

I have a yellow courgette called Polka (Kings) that not actually growing up seems to produce lots from the central plant. early days yet so it might start traveling.
marg

Digeroo · « **Reply #14 on:** July 13, 2015, 07:39:23 »

Yes jayb you have got it! Sitting back on itself is a great description. They take up less room that way.

Unfortunately the previous plot neighbours has moved from the area so no lessons are possible. I have decided to give each a stake to encourage them.

Found pic on this website though the neighbours managed it without support.

http://www.gardenhousebrighton.co.uk/tag/veg-growing/

Jayb · « **Reply #15 on:** July 13, 2015, 08:19:43 »

Oh wow, that looks amazing, I'd never have thought to have done that!
Are you trimming the leaves from yours too? And what plant spacing do you think would work?
What a shame your plottie neighbour didn't leave notes.

Digeroo · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2015, 08:55:03 »

I do not do much leaf trimming normally. If a plant produces a leaf I feel it needs it, so maybe if they break. But I tend to rely on the courgette leaves to keep the weeds under control.

I have no idea about it. I am on a learning curve. I will source some stakes and give it a whorl.

No idea about spacing. I tend to go for a metre, they probably need much more. If some are going up, they presume others can creep underneath.

I am hoping it will make watering/feeding easier since you can find the root point.

Paulh · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2015, 22:14:39 »

Quote from: theothermarg on July 12, 2015, 19:36:40

I have a yellow courgette called Polka (Kings) that not actually growing up seems to produce lots from the central plant. early days yet so it might start traveling.
marg

I think Polka is the same as Atena (my favourite).

Jayb · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2015, 22:28:45 »

I haven't got any spare plants or I'd give it a whirl, I'm not sure if it is too late to try with the couple of coursa types I'm growing. Keep us posted.

Digeroo · « **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2015, 09:05:27 »

Not sure about the cousa types. Clarita for example is semi climbing and tends to appreciated a stake anyway.

I have put stakes next to several of mine now and I will watch the results.

I have got about 20 courgettes plants in total so plenty for experients.

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Author Topic: How to achieve upright courgette plants? (Read 10494 times)