� #1
Old 07-11-2006, 05:15 AM
Reader
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern Ky.
Posts: 1,316
My Mood: Cheerful
EarlyBird is on a distinguished road
Default Gardening Question!

I can use some advice!

Living in a condo now, I have limited space for growing foods,
but decided to try growing some zuc and yellow squashes,
thinking I could eat the flowers and squash grows abundantly.

My plants, in large containers, have super greens, but no
flowers yet. I did plant the seeds w/granular
fertilizer and have added some liquid fertilizer once for
one pot and twice for the other pot. Plus, I moved the one
pot out into Full Sun.

Any advice would be helpful, Folks. Gads, I thought
anyone could grow squash
__________________
May you always have..Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!
Reply With Quote
� #2
Old 07-11-2006, 07:44 AM
Graduate
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Woods
Posts: 153
Jack Pine Savage is on a distinguished road
Default

The full sun was a good idea. They need it. Also,
You mentioned a condo. Is it on the first floor, or
are you on a higher floor?

Could be that the pollinators can't get to the plants.

You can buy artificial spray for tomatos to pollinate
plants. Check with your local nursery to see if
there is a version for squash.
Reply With Quote
� #3
Old 07-11-2006, 12:55 PM
Reader
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern Ky.
Posts: 1,316
My Mood: Cheerful
EarlyBird is on a distinguished road
Default Gardening!

I'm on the first floor, JPS. Thanks for the suggestion
about the spray. I just happened to remember, they have
a service that comes to spray to kill weeds. Could that
stuff be killing the pollinators?
__________________
May you always have..Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!
Reply With Quote
� #4
Old 07-12-2006, 08:05 AM
Graduate
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Woods
Posts: 153
Jack Pine Savage is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Gardening!

Quote:
Originally Posted by EarlyBird
I'm on the first floor, JPS. Thanks for the suggestion
about the spray. I just happened to remember, they have
a service that comes to spray to kill weeds. Could that
stuff be killing the pollinators?
That sounds plausable to me. Do you notice any bees
around your property? If not, I'd maybe try the pollination
spray that's avail. for tomatos. Avail. at your garden store.
Reply With Quote
� #5
Old 07-13-2006, 05:11 AM
Reader
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern Ky.
Posts: 1,316
My Mood: Cheerful
EarlyBird is on a distinguished road
Default Bees!

No, I've not seen a bee since I've lived here.

In fact, only recently have begun seeing lightning bugs
at night.

Thanks again, JPS
__________________
May you always have..Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!
Reply With Quote
� #6
Old 07-14-2006, 02:12 AM
Reader
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern Ky.
Posts: 1,316
My Mood: Cheerful
EarlyBird is on a distinguished road
Default Squash Plants

IPS, I now have 2 squash flowers and I saw one lonely bee
pollinating his little heart out yesterday. 8)
I told him, "God Bless you, little fella."

Maybe they're late for the same reason our area hasn't
had ripened homegrown tomatoes yet this year - not
enuff night time humidity Until this week, that is
Now we're into the 'Yucky' temps.
__________________
May you always have..Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!
Reply With Quote
� #7
Old 07-14-2006, 11:53 AM
Graduate
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Woods
Posts: 153
Jack Pine Savage is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Squash Plants

Quote:
Originally Posted by EarlyBird
IPS, I now have 2 squash flowers and I saw one lonely bee
pollinating his little heart out yesterday. 8)
I told him, "God Bless you, little fella."

Maybe they're late for the same reason our area hasn't
had ripened homegrown tomatoes yet this year - not
enuff night time humidity Until this week, that is
Now we're into the 'Yucky' temps.
Mulch the plants, (your choice of materials) and keep 'em
HOT! They love it as long as moisture is avail. (hot heads,
cool feet)

Sounds like we'll be sharing recipes soon.
Reply With Quote
� #8
Old 07-15-2006, 03:16 AM
Reader
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern Ky.
Posts: 1,316
My Mood: Cheerful
EarlyBird is on a distinguished road
Default Squash!

Thanks for the new advice, JPS. I'll be sure to water aplenty.

Would newspaper do for mulch? Getting anything else
might be too difficult in small quantities.

I'll need some actual squah before I can talk recipes
__________________
May you always have..Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!
Reply With Quote
� #9
Old 07-15-2006, 05:45 AM
Graduate
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Woods
Posts: 153
Jack Pine Savage is on a distinguished road
Default

Newspaper is a great mulch. Tear it up and
place around the plants, cover the soil.

Keeps weed seeds from germinating and retains
moisture in the roots. Also keeps veggies clean
so they don't get covered with dirt.
Reply With Quote
� #10
Old 07-15-2006, 07:18 AM
Lecturer
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 939
Mad Scientest is on a distinguished road
Default

To keep your plants happy, only use the comic section. Do not use front page or editorial page.
Reply With Quote
� #11
Old 07-16-2006, 04:15 AM
Reader
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern Ky.
Posts: 1,316
My Mood: Cheerful
EarlyBird is on a distinguished road
Default Squash

Smarty

well, if heat and humidity is what does it, I should finally
get some litle squashes. We're at mid 90's, w/70's at nite,
and 90% humidity. Oughta be good for momething, sure not
for people.
__________________
May you always have..Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!
Reply With Quote
� #12
Old 07-16-2006, 08:43 PM
Senior Student
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Far West KY
Posts: 73
Aardvark is on a distinguished road
Default

Kiddo, that's what you get for living in/near a city, a.k.a. "heat sink." We're right comfy out here in far west by-gosh Kentucky. 'Course it helps to live next to a big lake. BTW, The Boss was a little late planting her 'maters this year, and during last week's monsoons her plants grew about three inches per day. Amazing lady, that Mama Nature!
Reply With Quote
� #13
Old 07-17-2006, 03:18 AM
Reader
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern Ky.
Posts: 1,316
My Mood: Cheerful
EarlyBird is on a distinguished road
Default Gardening!

Hi Varki You're right - it's usually a bit cooler near water. 8)

Right again about Mother Nature's rain being the best for
crops of anykind. I water mine with filtered water, but still
not as great as rain.
__________________
May you always have..Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!
Reply With Quote
� #14
Old 08-29-2006, 07:35 AM
shapshftr's Avatar
Graduate
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 113
shapshftr is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Gardening Question!

Quote:
Originally Posted by EarlyBird
I can use some advice!

Living in a condo now, I have limited space for growing foods,
but decided to try growing some zuc and yellow squashes,
thinking I could eat the flowers and squash grows abundantly.

My plants, in large containers, have super greens, but no
flowers yet. I did plant the seeds w/granular
fertilizer and have added some liquid fertilizer once for
one pot and twice for the other pot. Plus, I moved the one
pot out into Full Sun.

Any advice would be helpful, Folks. Gads, I thought
anyone could grow squash
Dumb da dumb da dumb.... That's my little brain trying to think, not calling you dumb.

I seem to recall reading something earlier this year that I did not know before. I can't recall now for sure, but I think it was that members of the squash family have male and female plants. There's no telling which you will get from the seeds. So it is recommended that you plant several of the little buggers, to ensure getting at least one of each, to ensure pollenation. Bees alone can't help if all your plants are of the same sex. So I'm thinking that since you are gardening on such a small scale, that you only planted one or two of each squash, and therefore, you may have all one sex. Hence, no pollenation.

You better google this subject to see if I actually know what the heck I'm talking about. Nowadays I don't guarantee the accuracy of anything I say, LOL. If I'm right, it's too late for you to get any squashies this year. Also, if this info is right, for next year, try planting several seeds of each in some flat trays that can lay on the deck or patio and sprawl out til they get flowers. Then just replant a couple of them in big pots after they have been pollenated, and toss the others, to reduce your excess.

And full sun is a must, along with plenty-o-water. Also, if'n your space is too limited to get 6 to 8 plants growing for a couple months time without taking over the entire condo yard, you could try buying a couple of sheets of heavy duty lattice board to stand against the side of the building, and train them to grow up the lattice, directly from the large pots. Then cut the excess ones down after pollenation has occured. I feel like I'm babbling like an idiot now, so I'll stop. Best wishes for next season!!!
Reply With Quote
� #15
Old 08-29-2006, 07:50 AM
shapshftr's Avatar
Graduate
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 113
shapshftr is on a distinguished road
Default

Just looked this up. Apparently I was wrong. Squash plants have both male and female flowers, so if you aren't even getting flowers, then you have a different problem. What I read earlier must have been to plant several plants to ensure plenty of blooms for them to ensure getting both sexes. Check this link:

https://www.clemson.edu/fieldops/CGS/squash.htm

Maybe they just didn't get enough sun, or the right fertilizer. Try fish emulsion (found at most home improvement stores like Home Depot) instead of store bought granules and liquids. You do know those are synthetic chemicals.

Sorry for my previous erroneous reply.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Question for everybody saved1986 Chitchat 3 02-05-2010 07:49 AM
Question kimmie MMS(Miracle Mineral Supplement) 2 11-21-2009 09:30 AM
Question on MMS LittleMe MMS(Miracle Mineral Supplement) 13 01-08-2009 01:44 AM
Question (stress/anxiety) Mental Health 10 11-05-2007 02:53 PM
Question Heart Health 4 02-01-2007 05:20 PM