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Allotment Stuff => Swap Shop => Topic started by: 1066 on April 14, 2009, 10:48:04

Title: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 14, 2009, 10:48:04
I have a spare packet which I don't need and was going to give some away to friends and have just opened the packet and counted the seeds - over 30 of them  :o . So if anyone wants some just let me know.
Theyre described as "Attractive little pumpkins with a high sugar content and sweet tasty flesh, ideal for roasting, soups and pies ..... and stores well". This will be my 1st year of trying this variety so don't know how true that description is!!
1066
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: thifasmom on April 14, 2009, 10:55:42
may i have about 4 seeds, i'll pm you.
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 14, 2009, 11:02:00
Of course you can - glad they are going to a good home!
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: ipt8 on April 14, 2009, 13:24:44
Hi, I would like a few seeds, I fancy growing a few on my compost heap. Will pm you.
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: reddyreddy on April 14, 2009, 14:35:23
I would also like some for my compost heap if you still have some spare? Will pm you. ;D
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: manicscousers on April 14, 2009, 18:01:59
grew them last 2 years, does what it says on the packet, would be growing this year but not enough space  ;D
oh, we grew some over trellis, worked well
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 15, 2009, 07:29:25
Growing them on the compost heap sounds a great idea, but I'm with manicscousers this time I'm going to see how they like heights!

Still a few more left if anyone else wants to try them or can find a space to squeeze some in  :D
1066
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: grannyjanny on April 15, 2009, 07:33:09
Please may I have a few :P.
Janet
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 15, 2009, 07:39:09
Course you can  - the more the merrier. Besides its a bloomin great big packet!!
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: Levi on April 15, 2009, 22:38:42
Hiya, I would be grateful of a couple of seeds if you still have any spare please.
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 16, 2009, 17:20:35
Just to let you know I'm putting them in the post tonight

Happy Planting!
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: shirlton on April 16, 2009, 17:24:38
Have you any left for me to try please
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 16, 2009, 17:46:41
Yes I do - pm me your addy and I'll pop 'em in the post tomorrow on the way back from the lottie  :D
After Shirlton and my brother I've got 6 seeds left so if anyone else wants some just let me know.....
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: angle shades on April 16, 2009, 18:57:58
 :)if you have a couple of seeds left could I please have some? anything you would like in return? / shades x
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: Jamie81 on April 17, 2009, 09:17:49
Yes please, if there are any left at this stage  ;).
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 17, 2009, 14:37:55
Sorry Jamie all gone  :'(
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: reddyreddy on April 18, 2009, 09:16:09
Thank you 1066, they arrived this morning and will be going straight into pots in my heated greenhouse - unless it's too early???  :)
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: thifasmom on April 18, 2009, 11:04:08
they arrived a couple minutes ago.
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 18, 2009, 16:52:23
Thats great - now we just have to hope for a GREAT summer  :D
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: grannyjanny on April 18, 2009, 17:00:29
Did anyone watch Beechgrove on Wednesday. It was suggested to plant squash between a cordon of fruit trees as he hated seeing empty spaces. What do you squash growers think? This is our first year for many things so need as much help as possible.
Janet
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: beckydore on April 19, 2009, 19:23:35
Any special instructions for planting these?
Becky
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 20, 2009, 14:44:39
Hi Beckydore. I did mine as per all the other pumpkin / squash. Individually in a small pot of compost, plant the seed on its edge, then  cover with a small amount of compost. Water and wait! Oh and a nice sunny / warm window cill.  On the packet it says to harden them off at the 5-6 leaf stage (tho I'm sure others will have opinions on this!). And plant 3ft apart (approx a metre). Plus as with other pumpkin/ squash I reckon they'll like a good dollop of manure at planting.

I haven't tried these before so it'll be interesting to see how everyone else gets on with them, and whether they are good croppers, tasty, good to store etc

Great to know they're all arriving safe and well   ;D

Grannyjanny - thats an interesting idea, sounds like a good use of space but as its only my 2nd year of growing them I'm no expert!! Be interesting to try tho?!
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: shirlton on April 21, 2009, 10:17:33
Thankyou, Mine arrived this morning. Do you know if they would climb or are they strictly ground lovers
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 21, 2009, 10:30:18
Not really sure, I was planning (as its a small one) to try and grow it up a trellis. Just checked my seed packet from Kings and it says trailing type   ???
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: daileg on April 21, 2009, 12:11:16
Trailing squash can be grown up trellis but will need to be tied in or got a habbit of trying to find grownd all the time
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 21, 2009, 12:17:41
Thanks Dialeg, sometimes it all gets a bit confusing, what with different info and words on the seed packets let alone in books
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: daileg on April 21, 2009, 12:41:45
Quote from: daileg on April 21, 2009, 12:11:16
Trailing squash can be grown up trellis but will need to be tied in or got a habbit of trying to find grownd all the time

would like to add if you intend to grow for quantity not quality then let the plant run its coarse if for quality then pinch out after you have three successfull flowers (female polinated ) then grow on the best one only
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 24, 2009, 13:52:47
I've found an envelope on my desk this morning, with 2 small sugar seeds in, but no address on the front. I've obviously missed someone out. SORRY. and I've cleared out my pm's with addresses and notes to say they'd arrived. So if you haven't got your seeds yet, its cos they're sitting on my desk. PM me and I'll get them in the post

Thanks
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: angle shades on April 24, 2009, 18:44:31
 ;D they be for me! I've waited for the postie everyday ;)

pm on its way again ;D/ shades x
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on April 27, 2009, 06:38:45
Quote from: angle shades on April 24, 2009, 18:44:31
;D they be for me! I've waited for the postie everyday ;)

pm on its way again ;D/ shades x

SORRY Angle Shades
In the post today, and a huge sorry for being so forgetful!
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: angle shades on May 05, 2009, 09:32:36
 :) 1066, they haven't arrived yet :P/ shades x
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on May 05, 2009, 11:27:41
Noooooooooo!
I posted them at the beginning of last week (with some extra beans as a sorry for the delay)  ???
1066
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: angle shades on May 06, 2009, 11:04:32
 :) 1066 , how big was the packet you sent me,??

postman just delivered a sorry cannot deliver as a fee to pay card!! but not put a name on it, so we don't know which member of the family its for!!! /shades x
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on May 06, 2009, 11:17:26
It was a standard envelope with a 2nd class stamp on ?????
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: angle shades on May 09, 2009, 08:13:43
 :D picked up packet from sorting office yesterday,they must be the most expensive pumpkin seed in the world ;D ;D/ shadesx

thanks for the bean seed :-*

Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on May 11, 2009, 07:23:46
I was just about to go to the Post Office this morning and send them again
So so sorry! Let me know what I owe for P& P

I just hope they are worth it..........   ::)

1066
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: angle shades on May 11, 2009, 09:18:36
 :) you don't owe a thing, I'm just pleased to get them,

been reading up on them, only get one fruit per plant in the States ::) :P ;D/ shades x
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on May 11, 2009, 12:29:46
Quote from: angle shades on May 11, 2009, 09:18:36
only get one fruit per plant in the States ::) :P ;D/ shades x

Only 1  that is  :o  ::)  but hopefully  ;D
I only hope its worth all the effort

1066
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: Levi on May 25, 2009, 09:14:17
Apologies 1066, Think I went to post a thank you and got distracted. Have been too too busy since, my daughter's been in and out of hospital (miles away)with early labour symptoms so have had granddaughter full time and we've just come back from week in Blackpool - bliss.
Planted them up straight away tho cos was sowing when they arrived, but them darn' slugs/snails had a field-day so there's only one left! Hope it gets to maturity.

So here's a delayed thank you

Happy Growing

Levi
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on May 26, 2009, 06:52:47
Thanks Levi, I can't remember so far back now!
And I hope the family is doing well now

Mine are ok, slow but steady and I need to re-pot them, I've been debating whether of not to put them outside yet and your post reminds me that I need to build those slug/snail barriers

Thanks, and lets hope we get something for all our efforts  :D

1066
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: grannyjanny on May 26, 2009, 07:25:26
Hi 1066. How do you build slug & snail barriers? I haven't seen any trails at the plot but I want to be prepared ;D. Is it better to plant the pumpkins & squashes out next month & can I save seeds from the small sugar you kindly sent me. So far so good with it ;D.
Janet.
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: 1066 on May 26, 2009, 07:34:46
Well, what do I mean by slug barriers? Anything I think will stop them slithering over to my precious plants!  I use Slug stoppa round the hostas in the garden and might try some of that round the pumpkins, I was thinking more alomg the lines of machine guns and grenades  ;D LOL

I think next month might be better for planting out as they don't like the cold and we can still get frosts, I was wondering whether to fleece them for the 1st couple of weeks (have some fleece left over) to give them some extra protection but not really sure (its only my 2nd year of growing them ??? )

And as to saving seeds - I haven't a clue  ;D  Maybe someone more experienced on here could help....... pretty please......

1066

Edit - meant to add make sure you harden them off before they go in the ground, otherwise they'll sulk for sure !
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: Digeroo on May 26, 2009, 08:19:54
Hi Granyjanny saving the seeds of courgettes and pumpkins is a bit of a fiddle.  You have to pounce on one of the female flowers just before it opens.  Then you have to get a male from another of the same variety and gently open the flower and pollenate it  Then you tie up the flower with a rubber band so that it does not open. 

The problem is that you never seem to have a male flower when you need one.  Also this is fine for the first year when you have two plants.  But in the second year all your plants have the same two parents.  This means that when you use those for pollenating the following year you will have a very restricted genetic pool.

However since the seeds last well for about 5 years you can have years of the same seeds before you need to buy some more genes.

Sometimes you get some nice results and sometimes you do not.  Other problem is that once you leave a plant to seed it can stop producing more fruit and leaves the just the one to develop the seeds.

I have been trying for years to get a yellow cousa style courgette and have never managed it. 

If you use F1 varieties you can get some very odd results.

I love seed  saving you never know what  you are going to get as a result.

Better results with peas and french beans - self fertile.  Easier to spot crosses since seeds different colours.  All squash seeds look alike.
Title: Re: Pumpkin Small Sugar
Post by: grannyjanny on May 26, 2009, 13:54:59
Thanks Digeroo. I don't think I will be bothering then. Sounds like hard work to me ::) ::) ::).
How are you, recovered from from your lovely holiday?
Janet