Butternut Squash

[Roy Bham UK]

My first attempt at growing these, so what's the secrect?  ??? I've sown in moist compost and waited...and waited...and waited...nothing...nowt...zilch. ::) :P

Do they need special tender loving care? Help! ;D

[Roy Bham UK]

[Robert_Brenchley]

How warm were they? I kept mine warm and they came up like dragons' teeth.

[Roy Bham UK]

They are in the conservatory that gets sun at around noon onwards, most other seeds have romped away...very strange ???

[glow777]

mine came up very quickly then flopped just as quickly then sprung back then flopped ... and died :-(

sowing #2 in progress

[plot51A]

I usually start mine in electric propagator - usually takes 5-7 days. Good luck with the 2nd sowing!

[RobinOfTheHood]

Heat is the secret. I struggled with mine last year in the greenhouse. Some of them took a month or more to germinate.
Last week I put some in a propagator while I went away with work for the week. I came back last night and bingo! 10/10 germinated. I have to say that I didn't expect this and only wanted 5.

Never mind, I reckon I have the space... :)

[busy_lizzie]

I think heat is the secret. All of mine germinated after the pots were covered in cling film and put in the airing cupboard.  They all came up within 4 to 5 days.  They are quick germinaters, so if it is more than a week I would try again.  You could always have a little forage and see how they look  - whether they have gone mouldy or are just inactive. busy_lizzie

[saddad]

Germination, no problem, getting the little b****rs to grow on outside, now that is the challenge!
;D

[amphibian]

Mine germinated quickly in a propagator, and are now romping away in a coldframe.

I think variety is also sigificant, I am growing Waltham.

[busy_lizzie]

All of mine romping away too.  Have four different varieties here.  :) busy_lizzie

[Jill]

4 out of 4 butternuts, 3 out of 4 yellow courgettes and only 2 out of 4 green courgettes.  All germinated on a window cill in our south facing conservatory and now outside hardening off.

[Gadfium]

Had mine in a warm room.... 9 days, no germination. Dug down to check the seed hadn't rotted, it was okay, but no signs of life.

Stuck it in the airing cupboard
Bit of clingfilm over the top
Three days later... up she popped.

;)

The extra few degrees of warmth, coupled with the stability of the heat - no ups & downs during the day/night cycle - seems to be the key.

[carloso]

wow Buzzy i have been like that in the picture then died lol

No problems with cougettes (1 ball and Bush) but butter nutt well out of about 10 i have only 4 left but sowed some more !! so well see the ones i rough treated and chucked into the cold are doing well the ones i treasted with kid gloves died but isnt that the story every time lol


carl

[Tulipa]

I always do mine in the airing cupboard too, would definitely recommend it!

[Roy Bham UK]

;D Thanks Guys ;D I didn't realise the little blighters needed so much TLC ::) :P hope I'm not too late to give them another try :-\

Cheers Roy. ;)

[busy_lizzie]

I am sure you aren't too late Roy, give it another go - I bet you do it this time!  :) busy_lizzie