h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What's the story with these wee beasties? Has anyone ever grown them?

I ask because I sowed some this year, from bloody dear F1 seed. Only one of them germinated.

This one germination grew to roughly an inch in height, threw out about four leaves, and proceeded to do damn all else for the following months. So apart from the obvious (food, water, sun etc), has anyone any idea what the problem is? Would it be a climate thing? I think they are normally grown in places hotter than Ireland.

Never tried them KB; but will do so next year and see what happens! I know that's no good to you now. I have some pepper plants which are happily growing in pots - from seeds of a pepper I bought in T**co

I think this would have been a bad year for them - they come from south africa so need quite a good long growing season - not three weeks of summer in april then perpetual october for the rest of the year...

I grew some last year and the year before - from seeds that came free with the vegetable, as purchased from the supermarket. Several germinated (I planted them directly where I wanted them to grow) and one survived the slug army. That one plant ended up taking over the end of the garden - it got to about 20 feet across! You can grow them as a climber over a trellis or pergola so long as you support the fruit once they get heavy.

Dad used to grow them incredibly successfully, in a polytunnel in south west Scotland. He used seeper hose, which maintained soil moisture constantly.

I agree with Kelli - they need heat and sun and a lot of moist soil. The latter, at least shouldn't be a problem

However the real keys to heavy harvest are 1)planting them a good metre apart and 2) humungous amounts of compost/manure in a big deep pit over which you plant the seedlings.

And as Kelli says - just watch 'em spread

I think it's been a bad year for them. I usually get a great crop of pumpkins and squash, but this year has pretty much been a disaster for them. Don't give up hope - do try again next year, I will be!

We have never grown them, but I do luuurve eating them, they are gorgeous.

Oh, and the badgers love them raw in cubes too

Websailor

I'll try them again, for sure. I was a bit puzzled why they (well, it) sprouted and then stopped completely - suspended animation.

Badgers round your house Websailor? Nice!

That's right, KB, see here if you are interested and have time:

F1694533?thread=745775&latest=1

Websailor

I watched Gardeners World this week - it was heartening to know that even Monty Don's pumpkins and squash were a disaster. We are not alone!

I tried for the first time last year but in completely the wrong part of the garden, so they got very little sun. I forgot this year, but it seems from what you are all saying, there wouldn't have been any point.

There's a nice sunny spot where I sprinkle a packet of nasturtium seeds every year and watch them absolutely fill the space. I love their colourful flowers and the easy way they climb and trail, so perhaps I'll try squash in that spot next year. Would anyone know whether I could still put the nasturtiums there as well? Or does the squash need space? This year I've had sweet peas in the same part too with no problem, again grown there for the colour.

We eat squash once or twice a week in some form or another, so it would be good to grow some.

I find that I can't put anything else under my squash or courgettes because they take up too much space! My courgettes are spreading out (as the squash should have) and there is no way I would have been able to put nasturtiums under them.

Ah well if Monty's were crap too, at least there's a bit of schadenfreude!

So the name 'squash' doesn't come from the ability to squeeze them into any spare bit of soil, then, Jemstone!

"So the name 'squash' doesn't come from the ability to squeeze them into any spare bit of soil, then, Jemstone!"

Tee hee! No KB it doesn't, but I can tell you that I have a bloody good go at it!