Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: shirley B on May 31, 2008, 14:18:39

Title: fao purpleheather
Post by: shirley B on May 31, 2008, 14:18:39

re those butternut squash seeds, did as you suggested, put 11 seeds in on the 27th will put in a photo of them today, will be potting them up this evening
hope i can get a few fruit off them, thinking of putting one in the greenhouse
to see if that will work.   best wishes Shirley B[attachment=1]
Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: PurpleHeather on May 31, 2008, 17:22:15
You have done a brilliant job there

Let's just hope the summer is kind enough to us to allow us to grow them
out doors
Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: shirley B on June 01, 2008, 06:38:25
what a nutcase!! it was the 25th not 27th I put in butternut seeds, still think it was quick germination.   Shirley B ::)
Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: PurpleHeather on June 01, 2008, 08:00:33
It is not uncommon for germination to happen overnight if the conditions are right.

I have had seeds lie idle for weeks simply because it was not warm enough for them.

Then you sow loads of the same seeds on the same day, some come up quickly and some come up weeks later.

I do hope that we get enough sunshine now for you to get fruits from your labour.

Butternuts grow very quickly, and the year before last, gloriously hot. We got results on the open ground in the allotments of them weighing in at around 5lb.

Just check the seeds you put aside for next year. Don't worry if they have stuck to the paper towel. Make sure that they are dry but don't let them get  too hot.





Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: shirley B on June 01, 2008, 13:44:53


  thankyou Purpleheather for your replies, you have given me the confidence to have a go at this, i will put on a photo of the results at the end of the year, providing i get some. Shirley B
Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: PurpleHeather on June 01, 2008, 15:21:42
Look forward to seeing bigguns. But, there is no loss and (thankfully) we are growing for fun.

I did google the butternut squash after you replied and found a few sites with advice, you might like to do the same. Also found a site selling 4 seeds for over £2. plus postage and packing.

Seems that the squash need plenty of water  and should not be allowed to go dry especially after the fruit appears. Then they say, but not too much water or they will rot. lol

I appreciate you replying and letting me know how you are getting along. Thanks.

For next year, you could start collecting seeds from peppers, chillies, melons and anything else that takes your fancy. They all start life the same way.

I know there are some - hybrid plants- these seeds do not reproduce true to the fruit you took the seed from, I have  been lucky with my seeds
I suppose. Although I can not seem to get lemon, lime or orange seeds to grow, I understand that these can make attractive house plants. May be you could have a go and show off with a result!



Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: cjb02 on June 01, 2008, 21:13:49
Interesting thread.

I suggestion on growing the oranges. off topic sorry.

I have grown orange trees from pips. The secret of my success was last year I put some one a plant pot and water it now and then and occasionally it dried out and then it got watered some more and eventually plants popped up. they are currently about 5inch high. 1 in one pot and 3/4 plants in another.

Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: PurpleHeather on June 01, 2008, 21:19:11
It is interesting, you must be more patient than me.

I will have another go at it now that you have pointed that out.
Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: cjb02 on June 01, 2008, 21:37:50
I will say it took months.
Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: PurpleHeather on June 01, 2008, 21:40:10
No problem, I am not planning to die for a year or several, so should have time to get a result.
Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: shirley B on June 02, 2008, 14:43:02
  O.K Purpleheather will start seed collecting, also googling, have just had a go on the butternut one and found the same as you, will water little and often and hope that will work, must say i had a grin your reply to cjb02.
;D Shirley B
Title: Re: fao purpleheather
Post by: cjb02 on June 02, 2008, 18:00:43
it made me chuckle too.