Gardening Question!

[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. :roll: 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 :!:
:lol:

 

[Jack Pine Savage]

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.

 

[EarlyBird]

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?

 

[Jack Pine Savage]

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.

 

[EarlyBird]

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 :!:

 

[EarlyBird]

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." :lol:

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.

 

[Jack Pine Savage]

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." :lol:

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.

 

[EarlyBird]

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 :!: :lol:

 

[Jack Pine Savage]

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.

 

[Mad Scientest]

To keep your plants happy, only use the comic section. :lol: Do not use front page or editorial page.

 

[EarlyBird]

Squash

Smarty :!: :lol:

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. :roll:

 

[Aardvark]

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!

 

[EarlyBird]

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.

 

[shapshftr]

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. :roll: 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 :!:
:lol:

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!!!

 

[shapshftr]

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.

 

[Jack Pine Savage]

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.

One caveat here. Fish emusion is great........as long as there
are NO cats, raccoons around. Otherwise, you'll become the
gourmet diner in your neighborhood! :lol:

 

[EarlyBird]

Squash Plants

I did finally get flowers, but NEVER any squash. Probably
too small of a container. They got oodles of sun and watered
daily. The plants were or seemed very healthy. I may have crowded the pot w/too many plants!

I may try again next year. :roll:

Thanks again Guys/Gals

 

[Aardvark]

EB, it might have something to do with Kentucky's recent weather. For the past three weeks I have been unable to get oat grass (for the kittycats) to sprout from seed. Good soil mix, Miracle-Gro, sun, air, water, seeds from different sources -- and nothing happens. Very strange.

My regular lawn grass is doing fine, however. I'm vexed.

 

[Roxie]

Bees

If it's bees you want to help pollinate your plants, I guarantee you will attract them from miles around if you use fish emulsion. In fact, mix some up in a watering can and leave it sitting out by your plants for awhile. I'd be surprised if you don't attract a whole hive! I have no idea why they would be attracted by that fishy smell.
I had to give up using fish emulsion because of the way it attracts bees. I have a life-threatening allergy to all stinging insects.
I set down a watering can with fish emulsion mixed up in it, while I potted something, and when I turned around to pick it up and give some to the newly potted plant, it was swarming with bees. After this happened twice, on two different occassions, I got the message and went back to using Osmocote granules, so I could live to garden another day.

Roxie

 

[EarlyBird]

Fish emulsion

Thanks for the tips on fish emulsion. 8)
I'll get some for next year's planting. I've used it in
the past, but usually for indoor plants - I think :!:

Weeeeelllllllll - it's been awhile :!: :roll:

 

[EarlyBird]

Thanks for the tips on fish emulsion. 8)
I'll get some for next year's planting. I've used it in
the past, but usually for indoor plants - I think :!:

Weeeeelllllllll - it's been awhile :!: :roll:

No outdoor cats here and raccoons either. Only ducks
and a goose or two.

 

[Jack Pine Savage]

No outdoor cats here and raccoons either.
Only ducks and a goose or two.

Yeah, just wait until you see your managerie after
you start using fish by-products. (fish guts) :lol: :wink:

 

[biztekmom]

One more suggestion...I hear there is plenty of squash at the grocery store...if all else fails...just a thought.
I had to do it!