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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Tiny Clanger on May 05, 2018, 09:33:23
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Has anyone grown the climing courgette "Shooting Star"? I have not grown this type beofre and wondering what king of limbing frame is needed. Nets? Sticks?
:wave:
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I am a bit surprised at this hyped up advertising as 'climbing courgette'. Trailing courgettes/marrows are well known and very old. To call these 'climbing' seems like money for old rope. They don't climb, cling to supports or do anything that a trailing courgette or squash would do differently. You have to tie them up or drape over a support and tie in.
There is a lot of advice on A4A on growing squash on supports and the same goes for this courgette. Except that the stems are only 4 ft long. They need the same strong supports, but shorter. A sturdy trellis nailed to a wall would do it, but it must be capable of holding the weight. A picket fence might work too or perhaps an ornamental metal garden obelisk.
No doubt you can grow them trailing just as well, no need to grow them upright. I am quite sure that a normal short courgette is easier to grow than this unless you let it trail on the ground. :wave:
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This is what T&M say;
Courgette 'Shooting Star' has an upright, climbing habit that is well suited to growing in smaller gardens against a trellis of fence - tie the stems in regularly to help support the weight of the fruits. Grow them in groups of 3 to improve pollination and maximise your crop. Height: 120cm (47"). Spread: 60cm (24").
So in my opinion they want growing like Melons
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I'm trying them this year but they have just germinated...
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Yep, mine too. Should be interesting to see what they do. Had some bush type sent me from Lithuania = long white I think. Love trying new squash and courgette.s. Hope yours do well. :blob7:
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Thank you so much for that. I will certainly give it a go. Its what did with the Japanese squash I grew last season - they did OK, although the family were not impressed with the cooked product - preferring crown prince. Can't get enough help when trying a new variety - and I am NO expert. Thanks again :toothy10:
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Tried 'Black Hawk' before,also an alleged climbing variety, it didn't climb or even trail very much, when I tied it to a frame so didn't bother again!