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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: PeterVV on May 07, 2011, 15:03:16

Title: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: PeterVV on May 07, 2011, 15:03:16
I have some grown from seeds in pots at the moment, but am unsure how to grow them, or how much room they need, where they climb or trail?
Anyone help?
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: shirlton on May 07, 2011, 16:01:55
Hi Peter I grew sunshine last year and was very pleased with it. I had 3 seeds left for this year but only one of those has germinated.
They do not grow as vigorously as other squashes. The fruits were prone the damp so make sure that you put a brick under them. They fruit earlier than others as well but do keep for about 4 months.My favourite squash of the ones I have tried
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: PeterVV on May 07, 2011, 16:36:38
thanks shirl, is it a summer squash?
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: Squashman on May 07, 2011, 18:58:04
I grew "Mars" pumpkin last year and was pleased with the result. This year I have Mars, Piestar, paintball and Tom Fox.
I grew Sunshine squash last year, fairly good crop but did not keep as well as other varieties.

   
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: PeterVV on May 09, 2011, 10:00:45
I have never grown pumpkins or squash before, any tips?
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: shirlton on May 09, 2011, 10:09:10
Sunshine doesn't keep for as long as butternut but well worth growing all the same
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: PeterVV on May 10, 2011, 21:36:08
Do you grow them on a tump of compost? how early can I put them in?
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: shirlton on May 11, 2011, 07:20:29
We grew ours in between our fruit trees last year and they loved it. We just dig a bucket sized hole and fill it with well rotted muck and plant when the risk of frost is past.(On that point who's to say)
We then surround them with straw and as they grow coil them round like a pinwheel. It worked for us.





(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s121/shirlton/squashunderfruittrees.jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: PeterVV on May 11, 2011, 21:59:58
looks good shirl, is it best to stake them like that?
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: shirlton on May 12, 2011, 07:09:30
 ;D.They are not stakes love they are long sticks with the name of the plant on.We use them all over our allotment otherwise we would have to bend down and firk amongst the plants to see the plant label. With squash we wouldn't be able to get to the label.
You will understand when you get older and yer eyes and yer back are giving in ;D
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: PeterVV on May 12, 2011, 20:25:24
Ah, my mistake, sounds a good idea, especially if they are that vigorous, I was thinking of growing them in between my apple trees, but they have only been in the ground since November, so I dont want to deprive them of any water in their first year...
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: shirlton on May 13, 2011, 06:22:27
Our trees were only 2 years old last year.I think you will find that the squash leaves will act like a mulch helping to keep the ground moist and the squash roots seem to stay quite close to where its planted.Dont grow anything like bon bon or sharksfin under the trees cos they will eat them.
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: 1066 on May 13, 2011, 07:55:35
lovely photo Shirl  :)
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: shirlton on May 13, 2011, 18:05:44
Thanks ten,that was last year. The trees are alot bigger this year
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: PeterVV on May 13, 2011, 22:06:50
Quote from: shirlton on May 13, 2011, 06:22:27
Our trees were only 2 years old last year.I think you will find that the squash leaves will act like a mulch helping to keep the ground moist and the squash roots seem to stay quite close to where its planted.Dont grow anything like bon bon or sharksfin under the trees cos they will eat them.
Only have the Mars, Sunshine, Butternut/Harrier, and courgettes, just need to find room for them!!! wish my spuds would hurry up!!!:)
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: shirlton on May 14, 2011, 07:12:37
Do what I did last year.Pot them up into bigger pots. They will be nice big strong plants when you do finally get them in
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: 1066 on May 14, 2011, 17:18:20
yup I 2nd the potting on! Mine are just developing their 1st proper leaves, so a while yet before they go out  :)

Shirl's photo is a great pic, particularly for anyone who is new to growing squash, as it really shows you how you can plant them out etc  :)  8)
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: PeterVV on May 14, 2011, 18:18:40
Well, the Sunshine is on its 3rd leaf now, so I have a spot all dug ready for him, just need to pot the others up and see how they go, the pumpkin are not far behind...
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: PeterVV on May 15, 2011, 21:31:47
Well, I built a little "hillock", and planted sunshine today, I have an old tin bath with no bottom over it with a pane of glass over the top, so one spoilt squah!, the rest are going to have to get potted up and wait a bit longer...
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: realfood on May 15, 2011, 23:04:19
A bit early to plant out as they hate cold temperatures. You could put a cloche over it to protect it from the cold night temperatures.
Title: Re: Anyone grown pumpkin "Mars" or Squash "Sunshine"?
Post by: shirlton on May 16, 2011, 07:30:50
Mine are going to wait.Our plot neighbour lost all of hers. Good job that I have a few spare for her.