Thread: melons & pumpkin thinning
View Single Post
  #2   Report Post  
Old 03-06-2009, 05:21 AM posted to rec.gardens.edible
David Hare-Scott[_2_] David Hare-Scott[_2_] is offline
external usenet poster
  
First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,036
Default melons & pumpkin thinning
wrote:
Hi

I have some pots about to plant out with more than one seedling plant
in them. I assume its necessary to remove anything thats more than
the one plant, but I thought I'd check. FWIW I'm in Britain, where the
growing season is only just about long enough for these squashes, and
they're going into big tubs.

The growth of the more sprawling curcurbits like melons and pumpkins is
limited by room for the leaves to spread and get sun and room for the roots
to spread and get moisture and nutrients. There is no benefit in planting
them any closer than these limits permit as the extra plants will be smaller
as they have to share the resources. However if you do have too many you
will still get healthy plants and fruit - just smaller. Keep the spares in
case some transplants don't take and disturb the roots as little as possible
while doing it, this may mean sacrificing all but one if the roots are
intertwined. You will do better starting just one seed in each container
and plant the whole rootball undisturbed.

Some cultivars of pumpkins can become rampant if the roots are well supplied
so be prepared for them to escape the tubs and go a roving. Do not put them
near anything that will not cope with being blanketed for the season or you
will have to cut them back which rather defeats the purpose of growing them
well. I have one plant that is covering about 100 square metres, maybe
more.


And while I'm here, just how much rotted dung in each one is best?



Be generous these are heavy feeders.

David

Reply With QuoteReply With Quote