Pumpkin & Squash - Page 2

3 Olives · April 26, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by outsiders71

I just don't see the point to starting any kind of squash indoors when they germinate outside in 2 days and grow like monsters in no time. You can also try soaking the seed overnight, then direct sow. It should increase germination time.

I purchased some Choctaw Sweet Potato winter squash seeds from 1999. I started them and some Hopi Pale Grey seeds indoors because I wasn't expecting germination. They both had a high germination rate. They transplanted well and I had to retransplant several plants because they all did so well.

Starting them indoors shouldn't be a problem.

blatanna · April 26, 2008

Hi Wesley, the vast majority of England and Ireland are zone 8. It might give you an idea of when to plant indoors or not. I always start mine indoors in paper pots and plant the whole lot out when frost has passed, usually at the beginning of may.

wesleythewatch · April 28, 2008

Thanks blatanna, I have sewn my second lot in pressed acoir pots so I could do the same.

Worth1 · April 30, 2008

I have been following this thread closely and have an opinion based on years of experience.

I start my squash and cucumber seeds in 4 inch pots with potting soil.

I then let them sprout and after they get to looking a little on the under nourished side I water them with a dilute solution of MG or put a 1/2 tea spoon of 13-13-13 on each plant.

At this point they are around 6 or 7 inches long.

I only water when they are in need of it, NOT keeping the soil moist at all times as this does not promote root growth.

When transplanting I make sure the plants are well watered in the pots so they are really wet when they go into the ground.

If you plant a dried out plant it will be really hard to get them wet so do it BEFORE YOU PLANT.

This will also greatly reduce so called transplant shock.

I have never had a hard time growing transplanted squash or any other plant and I do feel that due to some unknown factor it is being blamed for poor growth.

As for disturbing roots I could care less as I sometimes have 2 or more seeds started in one 4 inch pot and I just tear the plants apart and spread them out.

When I left for work about two weeks ago the plants were just put in the ground, now they are about 3 feet across 2 feet high and loaded with fruit.

Not to dump on anyone else's opinion but for me the idea of not getting good results from transplants just isn't so.

Worth

April 26, 2008	#17
blatanna Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 150	Hi Wesley, the vast majority of England and Ireland are zone 8. It might give you an idea of when to plant indoors or not. I always start mine indoors in paper pots and plant the whole lot out when frost has passed, usually at the beginning of may. __________________ Blatanna

April 28, 2008	#18
wesleythewatch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Liverpool UK Posts: 34	Thanks blatanna, I have sewn my second lot in pressed acoir pots so I could do the same. __________________ All I give my garden is muck and love Nature does the rest

April 30, 2008	#19
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I have been following this thread closely and have an opinion based on years of experience. I start my squash and cucumber seeds in 4 inch pots with potting soil. I then let them sprout and after they get to looking a little on the under nourished side I water them with a dilute solution of MG or put a 1/2 tea spoon of 13-13-13 on each plant. At this point they are around 6 or 7 inches long. I only water when they are in need of it, NOT keeping the soil moist at all times as this does not promote root growth. When transplanting I make sure the plants are well watered in the pots so they are really wet when they go into the ground. If you plant a dried out plant it will be really hard to get them wet so do it BEFORE YOU PLANT. This will also greatly reduce so called transplant shock. I have never had a hard time growing transplanted squash or any other plant and I do feel that due to some unknown factor it is being blamed for poor growth. As for disturbing roots I could care less as I sometimes have 2 or more seeds started in one 4 inch pot and I just tear the plants apart and spread them out. When I left for work about two weeks ago the plants were just put in the ground, now they are about 3 feet across 2 feet high and loaded with fruit. Not to dump on anyone else's opinion but for me the idea of not getting good results from transplants just isn't so. Worth