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butternut squash
Having been terribly late to get going in the garden this year, it was
only in mid May that I got started in earnest, digging, weeding and planting a number of plants - rather than seed - acquired at my local garden centre. Among many other things that are merrily thriving, I bought a couple of courgettes, which are doing great, and two butternut squashes just because I love the veg, and thought that it could be grown here (Eastern Midlands of Ireland) if it was available in the garden centre. One of my two squashes has now all but disappeared, after looking very sorry for itself - limp, pale, etc. The second one appeared to be heading the same way, but is now apparently picking up. I don't know if it is the return of very summery temperatures and full sun, or what. I do water my plantings when needed - not normally the case in Ireland, but we are having a very dry spell, so I water every few days. I should say all above are planted in full sun, but outside - I have neither green house nor polytunnel. What are the chances of my second squash surviving and fruiting, and what can I do to give it the best possible chances? TIA Caít() |
butternut squash
"Cat(h)" wrote Having been terribly late to get going in the garden this year, it was only in mid May that I got started in earnest, digging, weeding and planting a number of plants - rather than seed - acquired at my local garden centre. Among many other things that are merrily thriving, I bought a couple of courgettes, which are doing great, and two butternut squashes just because I love the veg, and thought that it could be grown here (Eastern Midlands of Ireland) if it was available in the garden centre. One of my two squashes has now all but disappeared, after looking very sorry for itself - limp, pale, etc. The second one appeared to be heading the same way, but is now apparently picking up. I don't know if it is the return of very summery temperatures and full sun, or what. I do water my plantings when needed - not normally the case in Ireland, but we are having a very dry spell, so I water every few days. I should say all above are planted in full sun, but outside - I have neither green house nor polytunnel. What are the chances of my second squash surviving and fruiting, and what can I do to give it the best possible chances? TIA I water ours daily especially when young, about 5th of a can each, and I feed them too. -- Regards Bob Hobden W.of London. UK |
butternut squash
On Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:02:27 +0100, "Bob Hobden"
wrote: "Cat(h)" wrote Having been terribly late to get going in the garden this year, it was only in mid May that I got started in earnest, digging, weeding and planting a number of plants - rather than seed - acquired at my local garden centre. Among many other things that are merrily thriving, I bought a couple of courgettes, which are doing great, and two butternut squashes just because I love the veg, and thought that it could be grown here (Eastern Midlands of Ireland) if it was available in the garden centre. One of my two squashes has now all but disappeared, after looking very sorry for itself - limp, pale, etc. The second one appeared to be heading the same way, but is now apparently picking up. I don't know if it is the return of very summery temperatures and full sun, or what. I do water my plantings when needed - not normally the case in Ireland, but we are having a very dry spell, so I water every few days. I should say all above are planted in full sun, but outside - I have neither green house nor polytunnel. What are the chances of my second squash surviving and fruiting, and what can I do to give it the best possible chances? TIA I water ours daily especially when young, about 5th of a can each, and I feed them too. feed daily with? -- http://www.Voucherfreebies.co.uk http://www.holidayunder100.co.uk |
butternut squash
"mogga" wrote ... "Bob Hobden" wrote: "Cat(h)" wrote Having been terribly late to get going in the garden this year, it was only in mid May that I got started in earnest, digging, weeding and planting a number of plants - rather than seed - acquired at my local garden centre. Among many other things that are merrily thriving, I bought a couple of courgettes, which are doing great, and two butternut squashes just because I love the veg, and thought that it could be grown here (Eastern Midlands of Ireland) if it was available in the garden centre. One of my two squashes has now all but disappeared, after looking very sorry for itself - limp, pale, etc. The second one appeared to be heading the same way, but is now apparently picking up. I don't know if it is the return of very summery temperatures and full sun, or what. I do water my plantings when needed - not normally the case in Ireland, but we are having a very dry spell, so I water every few days. I should say all above are planted in full sun, but outside - I have neither green house nor polytunnel. What are the chances of my second squash surviving and fruiting, and what can I do to give it the best possible chances? TIA I water ours daily especially when young, about 5th of a can each, and I feed them too. feed daily with? Not daily but weekly with any normal liquid fertilizer, or better still, Seaweed extract. -- Regards Bob Hobden W.of London. UK |
butternut squash
"Cat(h)" wrote in message Having been terribly late to get going in the garden this year, it was only in mid May that I got started in earnest, digging, weeding and planting a number of plants - rather than seed - acquired at my local garden centre. Among many other things that are merrily thriving, I bought a couple of courgettes, which are doing great, and two butternut squashes just because I love the veg, and thought that it could be grown here (Eastern Midlands of Ireland) if it was available in the garden centre. My butternut squashes are struggling and I live in Cornwall. I'm convinced it's the low nightime temperatures. Maybe things will improve if there is a change in the pattern of NE winds and lack of cloud cover? Bertie |
butternut squash
On Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:14:06 +0100, "Bob Hobden"
wrote: I water ours daily especially when young, about 5th of a can each, and I feed them too. feed daily with? Not daily but weekly with any normal liquid fertilizer, or better still, Seaweed extract. Ah that's what I thought you might mean. I've got some of that seaweed stuff and have been using it. I've got a flower appearing now... the courgettes are miles ahead. -- http://www.Voucherfreebies.co.uk http://www.holidayunder100.co.uk |
Quote:
My experience of squashes is that if they have had a rough patch in their youth, they tend not to do very much later on. I have a sad experience of going on holiday in June for a fortnight, finding them having suffered from teh weather in my absence, and never really getting going again to the huge vigour they should have. It should now be growing mile-a-minute. They need a lot of leaf to be able to support the expansion of their huge fruits. If it isn't, you'll probably be disappointed. You might also have greater success if you secure seed of special non-commercial varieties selected to grow well in These Islands' cooler conditions than the areas where they are commercially grown, rather than taking seeds out of a supermarket butternut, or some plant of unknown variety picked up from a seller who isn't telling you. |
butternut squash
mogga wrote:
Ah that's what I thought you might mean. I've got some of that seaweed stuff and have been using it. I've got a flower appearing now... the courgettes are miles ahead. I think it's normal for butternut to be much later than courgettes. My butternut aren't even out of the greenhouse yet (more due to lack of time than design, but I dont' expect them to suffer) Courgettes are already fruiting (got about 5 fruit atm! Not quite picked any yet, althuogh the first one was very tempting!) pumpkins and butternut are sitting waiting to be put out. I think I'm sadly behind with my melons, though. :-( |
butternut squash
On 22 Jun 2010 11:59:54 GMT, wrote:
mogga wrote: Ah that's what I thought you might mean. I've got some of that seaweed stuff and have been using it. I've got a flower appearing now... the courgettes are miles ahead. I think it's normal for butternut to be much later than courgettes. My butternut aren't even out of the greenhouse yet (more due to lack of time than design, but I dont' expect them to suffer) Oh that's good then! I don't feel so bad now! Courgettes are already fruiting (got about 5 fruit atm! Not quite picked any yet, althuogh the first one was very tempting!) pumpkins and butternut are sitting waiting to be put out. I think I'm sadly behind with my melons, though. :-( I've not picked mine yet - got two approaching readiness. Melons! Not thought of them! Must consider them for next year! -- http://www.Voucherfreebies.co.uk http://www.holidayunder100.co.uk |
butternut squash
mogga wrote:
I think it's normal for butternut to be much later than courgettes. My butternut aren't even out of the greenhouse yet (more due to lack of time than design, but I dont' expect them to suffer) Oh that's good then! I don't feel so bad now! Last year my butternuts were a last minute "oops, guess what we forgot!!" crop, and iirc we got 48 fruits in a 1m wide full width of the allotment. It was a stunning amount of fruit! Unfortunately frost damaged a lot of them in store when someone (mentioning no names) left the summerhouse door open! I've not picked mine yet - got two approaching readiness. *nod* One that I could have picked on Sunday I decided to leave for another few days, whih probably means it will be munched by slugs by tomorrow. :-( Melons! Not thought of them! Must consider them for next year! I grew about 6 plants last year (ogen, hero of lockinge and green nutmeg iirc) - some from bought seeds, some from seed swap at Hampshire potato day. I got 2 good size fruit and 1 that didn't get time to get big enough to be edible. The plants went mental, totally took over the greenhouse and had a huge barney with the tomatoes they met at the top (cos I was naughty and didn't nip the tops off the cherry toms last year) The whole greenhouse was like some kind of jungle vine playground! :-) The 2 melons we got were absolutely delicious, though, I was very proud of them! |
butternut squash
echinosum wrote:
You might also have greater success if you secure seed of special non-commercial varieties selected to grow well in These Islands' cooler conditions than the areas where they are commercially grown, rather than taking seeds out of a supermarket butternut, or some plant of unknown variety picked up from a seller who isn't telling you. I think my hugely successful variety last year was "sprinter" |
butternut squash
"Cat(h)" wrote in message ... Having been terribly late to get going in the garden this year, it was only in mid May that I got started in earnest, digging, weeding and planting a number of plants - rather than seed - acquired at my local garden centre. Among many other things that are merrily thriving, I bought a couple of courgettes, which are doing great, and two butternut squashes just because I love the veg, and thought that it could be grown here (Eastern Midlands of Ireland) if it was available in the garden centre. One of my two squashes has now all but disappeared, after looking very sorry for itself - limp, pale, etc. The second one appeared to be heading the same way, but is now apparently picking up. I don't know if it is the return of very summery temperatures and full sun, or what. I do water my plantings when needed - not normally the case in Ireland, but we are having a very dry spell, so I water every few days. I should say all above are planted in full sun, but outside - I have neither green house nor polytunnel. What are the chances of my second squash surviving and fruiting, and what can I do to give it the best possible chances? *** I had to rescue a butternut squash from our allotment. It is now back in a pot and slowly reviving. The one in a tub on the patio is doing a lot better but not looking particularly agressive. The two courgettes still at the allotment have settled in and are a nice dark green with whitish veinns on the leaves and are just starting to fruit. I now don't know if I should take the healthier butternut squash to the allotment for a chance to stretch its legs, or keep it back at home where it will be a bit restricted. It has been a strange year so far. Cheers Dave R -- No plan survives contact with the enemy. Helmuth von Moltke the Elder |
butternut squash
On 22 Jun 2010 15:43:14 GMT, wrote:
mogga wrote: I think it's normal for butternut to be much later than courgettes. My butternut aren't even out of the greenhouse yet (more due to lack of time than design, but I dont' expect them to suffer) Oh that's good then! I don't feel so bad now! Last year my butternuts were a last minute "oops, guess what we forgot!!" crop, and iirc we got 48 fruits in a 1m wide full width of the allotment. It was a stunning amount of fruit! Unfortunately frost damaged a lot of them in store when someone (mentioning no names) left the summerhouse door open! 48! WOW impressive. I think I've got a flower on one now! ooo :) I've not picked mine yet - got two approaching readiness. *nod* One that I could have picked on Sunday I decided to leave for another few days, whih probably means it will be munched by slugs by tomorrow. :-( Melons! Not thought of them! Must consider them for next year! I grew about 6 plants last year (ogen, hero of lockinge and green nutmeg iirc) - some from bought seeds, some from seed swap at Hampshire potato day. I got 2 good size fruit and 1 that didn't get time to get big enough to be edible. The plants went mental, totally took over the greenhouse and had a huge barney with the tomatoes they met at the top (cos I was naughty and didn't nip the tops off the cherry toms last year) The whole greenhouse was like some kind of jungle vine playground! :-) The 2 melons we got were absolutely delicious, though, I was very proud of them! Ah that might be a problem - don't think the greenhouse is big enough .... might have to look at building some mega cold frame sort of thing though :) -- http://www.Voucherfreebies.co.uk http://www.holidayunder100.co.uk |
butternut squash
On Jun 22, 6:41*pm, "David WE Roberts"
wrote: "Cat(h)" wrote in message ... Having been terribly late to get going in the garden this year, it was only in mid May that I got started in earnest, digging, weeding and planting a number of plants - rather than seed - acquired at my local garden centre. Among many other things that are merrily thriving, I bought a couple of courgettes, which are doing great, and two butternut squashes just because I love the veg, and thought that it could be grown here (Eastern Midlands of Ireland) if it was available in the garden centre. One of my two squashes has now all but disappeared, after looking very sorry for itself - limp, pale, etc. The second one appeared to be heading the same way, but is now apparently picking up. *I don't know if it is the return of very summery temperatures and full sun, or what. *I do water my plantings when needed - not normally the case in Ireland, but we are having a very dry spell, so I water every few days. I should say all above are planted in full sun, but outside - I have neither green house nor polytunnel. What are the chances of my second squash surviving and fruiting, and what can I do to give it the best possible chances? *** I had to rescue a butternut squash from our allotment. It is now back in a pot and slowly reviving. The one in a tub on the patio is doing a lot better but not looking particularly agressive. The two courgettes still at the allotment have settled in and are a nice dark green with whitish veinns on the leaves and are just starting to fruit. I now don't know if I should take the healthier butternut squash to the allotment for a chance to stretch its legs, or keep it back at home where it will be a bit restricted. It has been a strange year so far. Cheers Dave R -- No plan survives contact with the enemy. Helmuth von Moltke the Elder Thank you all for your contributions. The remaining squash is growing, but not a mile a minute. I guess I'll have to continue watering, feeding, talking to it, playing it classical music and a bit of rap, and all that. And learn from the experience whether it is worth bothering with again next year... Caít() |
butternut squash
"Cat(h)" wrote:
Thank you all for your contributions. The remaining squash is growing, but not a mile a minute. I guess I'll have to continue watering, feeding, talking to it, playing it classical music and a bit of rap, and all that. And learn from the experience whether it is worth bothering with again next year... Always worth trying again next year if it's your first failure. If you can get them, it's still worth buying in a couple of plants for this year, imho. Next year, if possible, I would recommend getting a root trainer and plant about twice as many seeds as you need. Keep them in the root trainer either on a window sill or a greenhouse if available until the beginning of June at least. I think my seeds went in mid-April to early May. The root trainer keeps the roots heading in the right direction but without taking up a lot of space for roots (althuogh they do start to sprawl a lot when they get going!!) If you're anywhere local to Harlow, pop over to our summer fete next weekend (3rd July, 11-2pm) and I will promise to bring you some spare plants to sell! :-) |
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