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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: hanraaa on April 11, 2005, 14:38:33

Title: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: hanraaa on April 11, 2005, 14:38:33
I'm baffled on this one! Started a variety of courgettes and squashes off on my windowsill, within days they had srung in to life producing healthy plants. i carefully transfered them to bigger pot and have put them in my lean-to plastic sheeting green house, all was well until this weekend when i zipped open the cover to discover that all of the plants had curled at the edges of the leaves, the newest leaf had drooped beyond life ans they look all mottled and dried up.
The greenhouse retains warmth and thay have been well watered.
Can anyone help??????
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: derbex on April 11, 2005, 14:50:37
Mine were going limp from the heat in the greenhouse yesterday, a few pints of water helped. They're in half a growbag each, but it's not been long and I don't think they have their roots all through yet. I'm hoping we get a bit more cloud soon, or I'll have to shade them, and it's a bit early for that yet.

Jeremy
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: tim on April 11, 2005, 15:44:30
Heat is certainly a possibility. The temperature in those shelters, as in small greenhouses, can reach well over 100F. Especially after potting on, they would much rather have cool shade than heat.
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: derbex on April 11, 2005, 15:55:53
I think I'm going to need a conveyor belt for the greenfouse to move plants out when it's too hot & back in when it's too cold ::)
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: wardy on April 11, 2005, 23:37:38
Mine's limp too but I reckon they'll perk up.  They'd better  >:(
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: David R on April 12, 2005, 07:11:48
It might be the opposite problem - cold at night.   :-\

Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: slugcatcher on April 12, 2005, 07:22:28
It could be a combination of both. These quite warm days and cold nights is a vast difference in temperature. The poor seedlings don't know where they are.

The next couple of nights have a prediction of FROST so beware

Ron
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: Roy Bham UK on April 12, 2005, 08:23:37
Image below showing Cuc's left, Courgettes right, the latter being 6inch (15 thingies) tallest, would this size be considered "leggy" ? ???  They were put straight into these pots from seed 29th March and so far haven't flopped over.

I recall Derek the Fox saying let them get pot bound if planted too early as I think that may have been my error. :-[

(http://img8.echo.cx/img8/5196/legcougette6jw.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: David R on April 12, 2005, 08:57:17
Blimey. They look healthy but must admit, do look a tad leggy. They will be fine once in the ground though, they soon beef up. They should'nt be pot bound yet, but might be an idea to transplant into a bigger pot as its too cold outside at night still.

Different varieties do look different, so wouldnt panic yet. What might be leggy for butternut might be perfect for courgette.
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: derbex on April 12, 2005, 11:04:25
In my case I'm pretty sure it's the heat, they're fine at night (in the cold greenhouse) but flag when the sun's out in the day, some water perks them up though.
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: Mrs Ava on April 12, 2005, 11:57:30
I have two batches, those in the conservatory which are fast becoming trifids, already trailing with at least 4 true leaves, and those in the heated but shadey greenhouse are short, tough and just making their first true leaves.  Try to cool your long 'uns down a bit Roy and get them in the light.  Put them outside if you can in a bright but shadey spot but make sure you bring them in before it gets too chilly.   :-\
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: Multiveg on April 12, 2005, 11:58:52
I think there are flower buds already on mine  ;D
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: fat larry on April 12, 2005, 12:44:41
is it too early to just plant em out direct???
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: derbex on April 12, 2005, 14:39:45
Yes -they don't like frost.
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: johcharly on April 12, 2005, 14:41:30
Afetr reading this I will not be sowing mine for at least another couple of weeks.
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: wardy on April 13, 2005, 09:52:01
I was going to sow some more today as I have some flopped over ones outside in a mini greenhouse thing
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: ALAN HOWELL on April 13, 2005, 10:00:52
Quote from: hanraaa on April 11, 2005, 14:38:33
Started a variety of courgettes and squashes off on my windowsill, within days they had srung in to life producing healthy plants. i carefully transfered them to bigger pot and have put them in my lean-to plastic sheeting green house, 

I sow mine in 3" pots and grow them to "ready to plant out stage",this way it avoids any checks in growth,same with Cu's and squashes  regards...Alan
Title: Re: LIMP COURGETTES!
Post by: wardy on April 14, 2005, 09:58:22
Little wonder my courgettes are limp.  I checked em yesterday and they were bone dry  :o   My niece gave them to me and they were no holes in their container so putting them on my self-watering plant tray was doing them no good at all.  You just take it for granted that folks use seed trays and pots with holes in - pays to check  ;D