Squash Problem

[jeremyf]

I had 15 Butternut sprinter plants - about 5" tall that were growing in a conservatory (north west facing) put them into the green house and pretty much over night the leaves became mottled - 3 days later the mottled leaves have died - there may be some tiny leaves on some of them that were not damaged that may come through but they are not looking good. What did I do wrong?

Was it too much of a shock going from conservatory (min 16deg max 25 ) to a greenhouse (min 7 max 28) - I thought these plants loved sun?

Watered the night before - Could it have been water on their leaves scorching?

I tend to over water rather then underwater.

Got a great crop last year (without greenhouse) so am gutted.

Also, is it too late to plant some more seeds?

thanks

jeremy

[jeremyf]

[Tulipa]

Jeremy I am not sure what has caused your problem with your plants but you are not too late to plant some more seeds now.  Mine have only been sown a week and are just coming through, there is still enough time if you get them started soon.  I hope someone comes along who can answer your first question....  T.

[weedin project]

Jeremy
it sounds as if they have been over-watered and then got slightly colder than they were used to, but I also wonder if they are possibly under-fed? 
If they are in small-ish (3" or so) pots and have been there since they germinated they probably need potting on and feeding.  Any small green leaves should then thrive.

[David R]

similar thing happened to me last week - went away for a few days and thought id bag them up in a clear polythene bag to stop them drying. On my return half were mush. They were in a clear bag, in the window of a potting shed, full sun most of the day. I think the combination of humidity and heat did it as they had been growing unprotected in the potting shed window alone.

I re-sowed, and am not too concerned about not getting a crop as there is still loads of time until the autumn frosts  8)

[jeremyf]

thanks for your replies - Have planted another 15 so hopefully it wont be all lost.

How should I avoid this problem in the future? They were planted on the 9th April in 20deg propagator, Taken out into the conservatory a week after germinating and then into the light green house a week or so later. They're in 4" pots. I've never given much thought about feeding until they are in the ground - how soon after germinating should I be feeding?

I do use the cheapest compost I can find - should I mix sand to help drainage as most things get irrigated on a timer so difficult to control over watering.

This is the first year I've owned a greenhouse and am finding it difficult with the extremes of heat - would a large cold frame have been better? How do other people use greenhouses for getting things going? 
Also, I dont really understand potting on - why can't I just put them in a big pot and then into the ground?

lots of questions!!

jeremy

[honeybee]

Funnily enough Jeremy, ive got squashes and pumpkins galore very happily growing away in the conservatory and only today, i said to hubby, that i am dreading moving them and hardening off to plant out as i would be so upset if i lost them, its a scary time isnt it? But all part of gardening fun  ;D

[Marymary]

I've got about 30 squashes & cucs all doing really well in the cold greenhouse - no b****y idea what I'm going to do with them all now though.  ;D

[weedin project]

I've got about 30 squashes & cucs all doing really well in the cold greenhouse - no b****y idea what I'm going to do with them all now though.  ;D

Marymary

Yup, that's my dilemma too! :o ;D
Methinks a few friends WILL be growing some 8)