Squash, pumpkin, courgette questions

[OliveOil]

I am growing many varieties of squash - do i need to keep them separate so they dont 'cross'... how far apart do they need to be from each variety?

I have planned to leave 1m between plants and 1.5 between rows and was going to have 2 blocks. One at the front of my lotty with buttercup, spagetti and butternut oh and courgette. Then at the back of my plot all the rest : Patty pans Squash â€" Custard White, Squash â€" Delicate Cornell, Squash â€" Turks Turban Squash â€" Uchiki Kuri and more courgette, butternut.

[OliveOil]

[dandelion]

Wow  :o OO, you've got quite a selection there!

I don't think you need to keep them separate. They will cross, but this is only a problem if you're planning to save the seed. Your spacings sound fine for the bush types. Trailers may need more space.

[Curryandchips]

Yes, as Dandelion has said, the squash will definitely cross, but that won't affect this years harvest. I plant my courgettes about a metre apart, my other squashes are just threaded to go where-ever they can.

I feel I am missing out on the delights of growing an assortment of squash, so this is a 'must do' for next year, get a mixed pack ...

[OliveOil]

bummer - i was hoping to save seeds. what would i need to do to prevent them crossing - or is it going to be too much of a pain?

[Svea]

too much of a pain i reckon if you are planning to grow them this close together

look here:
http://www.vidaverde.co.uk/courgettes.html (scroll to the very bottom)

[OliveOil]

thanks for that svea!

I used to work in plant breeding many years ago and we used special celophane bags to prevent cross pollination - so in theory i should beable to do it!

Am i right in thinking there will be M and F flowers??? How will i know which is which? sorry if its a dumb question but as i've never seen a squash plant i cant picture it.  I assume i leave the F flower and polinate with teh M and then band up ???

[Svea]

the female will have a tiny bulb behind the flower - the baby to be

in the pictures shon, the female is on the left

[OliveOil]

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/newsletters/hortupdate/mar03/art8mar.html

I just found the article above which is very helpful - I have just one morning to hand pollinate and band up!  So looks like i have going to be hellish busy when they start to flower!

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you want seed, cover both male and female buds with the ends of old stockings just before they open; if you don''t have any, they're extremely cheap from Tesco's (none of the women in my family wears such things). Use the male, de-petalled, to fertilise the female, then cover the latter again until it drops. Mark the fruit with a bit of ribbon or something, and do half a dozen if you want to keep saving your own seed. Watch out for deterioration, and if you notice the quality falling off after a few years, buy another batch of seed in. I'm planning to save seed from lods of stuff, so should have plenty to swop later.

[OliveOil]

Ah - another brilliant idea - stockings... dont think i have any, usually wear them once and then chuck them, but im sure i'll get some cheapies from somewhere.