Hi everyone, yet another question...
My courgettes (Dundoo) are going great guns - spreading out across the ground and producing fruit. However, my butternut squash and pumpkin plants are not doing much at all. They're still alive but aren't spreading like they're supposed to. Most books says these things are rampant monsters, but mine have barely grown at all in the last few weeks.
They're planted in big holes back-filled with compost and manure, and they get a good soaking once or twice a week. Is there anything alse I should be doing (liquid seaweed food, perhaps)? ??? ???
Cheers,
Rob ;)
Rob, my mantra is patience for pumpkins and butternut squash. I've already collected a courgette from my one plant, but the other winter squashes are still spreading out. Last year, I was eating courgettes for weeks before I started seeing other small squash on the other plants. Right now, they're setting themselves up for some pumpkin-growing, so you've just got to let them get to it. ;) Winter squashes will be around for longer...
I have some trombolino squash coming on nicely with a few fruit developing and one of the other varieties is also fruiting now, but my butternuts are taking their time at the moment, not much action although I think they're starting to rampage like the others.
I think it is always the same, you think they will never start and then all of a sudden they are off. :) busy_lizzie
Mine sat still for ages too rob, then got a spurt on when they were ready - I didn't water them, but they had good rich soil. I have two fat fruit (one a Turks Turban on a plant labelled Marina di Chioggia >:() but otherwise very few. I think squashfan is right, ignore them and they'll go crazy ;)
Thanks everyone, will take your advice and sit back and wait. I guess I'm just impatiently looking forward to eating them in the autumn!
Cheers,
Rob ;)
Courgette's - enough to feed an army and thriving
Yellow un named squash - going well with fruits
Butternuts - set well and looking healthy. I am expecting them to fly away over the next couple of weeks
Pumpkin - cricket ball sized fruit and can only be described as rampant.
A question for you all - "I have been advised to allow 3 fruits per shoot for squashes and then to snip the lead out" Do you think this is the right way top deal with squashes?
Thanks
Mike