O- Squash Officiendo Jeannine: How to support aerial big squashes?

[GrannieAnnie]

I've just realized now that some are going high up the weight of the winter squash might be a problem.
What do you recommend for a support or sling that won't be grown into or be incorporated into the fruits' skin?

[GrannieAnnie]

[lottiedolly]

Sorry i am not Jeannine, but i can tell you what i am doing, i am saving the net bags that fruit come in so i can use that for cradling the squash.......hang on, when you say big squash, how big is big????

[belairebel]

I take a slightly different tack. There are LOADS of demolished (plastic) greenhouses chucked away on my site and I always go in and rescue the green metal mesh net trays that come with them. I raise the beds for cucumbers, squash and courgettes and wedge the mesh trays in the dips between the beds. I then train the plants down that way. It keeps them of the ground and makes sure there is good air circulation to ripen them evenly. Keeps the slugs off them, as well.

It also means I can hammer canes through the mesh and build cradles to hold up any that need it, although I prefer them to ramble.

I've given up on my beloved butternut squash (whole crop stolen last year) but have put in some "weird and wonderfuls" instead. I'm hoping the thieving gits on my site won't realise what they are and I might have a fighting chance of getting them home.

I've put in Sprinter and Tancheese. Anybody heard of these? They might look a little weird but they are supposed to be good eating.

[goodlife]

Tights will do the job.. ;)Nice and stretchy...with lycra for strength...with thin denier ones you get airflow..'fruit' will like the soft and supporting surface...
all the modern technology.. ;D ;)..and you have choice of colours too... ;D

[GrannieAnnie]

hang on, when you say big squash, how big is big????

Not sure yet- Queensland Blue is supposed to be bigger than my usual butternuts and if the vine is any indication...but I should not count my squash before they hatch ;D there are so many pests.

[Jeannine]

Grannie, you are looking at about 8 pound for your Queensland Blue, and with yur garden expect the top of the size range. Are these the ones trying to climb the patio railings. If vertical, I would go with pantyhose,doubled for extra strength, it grows and grows though so be prepared to adjust it if it starts to sag,  you can use onion bags etc, they all work,keep an eye on the synthetics some can rot pretty quicly when exposed to lots of sun., you can use well washed cotton t shirt fabric to make a hammock rather than a bag. I don't know if it will help with your bugs, but you can make a platform for your squash to sit on which gets them off the ground, just a length of 2x4 driven into the ground with a flat piece of ply about a foot square fastened on the top, I guess the SVB would get the plant stems though, you have bugs  there that I don't know about!!

goodlife the fishnet tights( pantyhose in US, ) work even better, but not sure if GrannieAnnie is into those ::)

Belairbel, I was sorry to hear about the rotters who got your stuff. they may not recognise  the Tancheese , but they will the Sprinter(butternut). I like your choice some of them grow very big but Tancheese is doable at about 5/6 pounds

Hope these onees do well for you XX Jeannine

[GrannieAnnie]

Grannie, you are looking at about 8 pound for your Queensland Blue, and with yur garden expect the top of the size range. Are these the ones trying to climb the patio railings.

They are Queensland and Crown Prince both quite amazing to watch each day- I'd do time lapse photography if I had a waterproof set up.
And NO, I DON"T HAVE FISHNET PANTYHOSE! ;D

[tricia]

I grew Crown Prince on the trellis last year. Got three fruit, largest about 8lb which I supported with a net from oranges. Worked well and I'm growing it again this year. I find that Butternuts do not need any support other than tying to the trellis just below each fruit.

Tricia

[GrannieAnnie]

Thank you all.  I've got some of suggested "slings" and am set. Bring on the squash!