2015 Grow-Along Challenge: Squash Wars - Roll Call!

I planted my 5 varieties of squash today. There are 2 each so far. I might plant more later.
I made large paper pots and I will transplant them into my beds when it is time, paper pot and all.
I used a mix of my own compost and the purchased one shown. About 50-50
I got the paper pots good and soaked with water, filled the pots to about 75% full. Then I added seed starter on the top. Planted the seed and then added a bit more seed starter over the seed.
Squash loves compost I am told, so as soon as those roots go down into the pot, they will have a good compost mix.
They are now living in my (cool) greenhouse in a tray on the bench. Will post more photos when they sprout.
This is fun!

Hoping to get the spots for mine ready tomorrow. Been raining a lot so not sure if it's too muddy or not. My grandma has a couple of mine too that I need to get pics of the seeds of. Gonna be fun!!

Same here with the rain delay. We've been soaked.

I always grow one of the Middle-Eastern types for their excellent "nutty" flavor and productivity. This year it will be Dirani Hybrid. But in past seasons I've grown Magda F1 and Sweet Gourmet Hybrid.All are zucchini types and the fruits are a characteristically light grey-green. They also seem to be less troubled by squash vine borers than most summer squash types.

Interesting, cactusman. I have grown light colored summer squash and always liked them. In fact, one of my selections for the contest is Speedy Silver Zuc. It is a hybrid. Wonder if it was bred with a middle eastern type?

My squash trials:

Cucurbita maxima
Cultivar: NC Candy Roaster
(aka North Carolina Candy Roaster, Candy Roaster Melon Squash)

Cucurbita pepo
Cultivar: Early White Bush Scallop
(aka Farr's Benning White Bush)
I'm #3 on this one, so it is now 'totally covered".

Cucurbita moschata
Cultivar: "Amish Neck Pumpkin" aka PA Dutch Neck Pumpkin, aka Pennsylvania Dutch Crookneck
(This is the classic pie pumpkin in the deutchlands of PA.)
I'm #2 on this one.

Cucurbita mixta
Cultivar: 'White Cushaw' aka Jonathon.

*If anyone might like to grow Mrs. Aquillard's Cushaw, I'm not growing it this year and have plenty of seeds to share. Happy to trade these, y'all.

**I also have plenty of the above North Carolina Candy Roaster / Candy Roaster Melon Squash, an uncommon one. Happy to trade these, too, y'all.



This message was edited Apr 19, 2015 5:05 PM

My 2nd and 3rd varieties , the Luffa and Calabash seeds begun to germinate. I'll train one of the Luffa up a trellis in pot, one of the Calabash 'India Long' onto the trellis. Others I'll plant on the ground and compare how they perform in a pot versus in the ground.

Here are the Calabash and Luffa germinating in damp paper towel method. I soaked the seeds over night, then drained the water, kept the seeds wrapped up in paper towel. After several days, they begin to sprout.

The ground temperature outside hasn't been consistently warm enough for me to direct sow. So using the method described above works well for me.

(pictures to follow).

The dark seeds are those of the Luffa and the light colored seeds are Calabash seeds.

I checked out the speedy Silver zucchini on New Dimension's website and it looks just like every other Middle-Eastern type that I've ever grown. So there's no doubt in my mind about its origins. BTW, the Dirani Hybrid is growing like crazy and will probably bloom within a week.

This message was edited Apr 20, 2015 11:09 AM

Some of my varieties are blooming! Since the rain has stopped, I can get some pictures now! I'm excited!

Sounds terrific Julie. Let's see some pics. lol Mine still are puny little seedlings. :(

Ok, I now will add my final two.
1. 'Spineless Beauty' Zucchini.
2. 'Horn of Plenty' Squash.
(3 other varieties as listed above).

p.s. The above two are seedlings, I didn't germinate these, I purchased from my local nursery. Terry/Melody will this be acceptable?

This message was edited Apr 21, 2015 6:06 PM

Yes, absolutely :-)

'Spineless Beauty ' Zucchini.

Thanks Terry. :)

'Horn of Plenty' squash.

Be sure to add your pictures to the appropriate PlantFiles entry. If you have never added pictures or comments to PlantFiles, and you have any questions, let us know!

I've not create a new plant on PlantFiles before, how do I do that please Terry. I only know how to add an image to a PF, but not open a new one.

I'll be happy to help. I'm running things on my new tablet right now and it is a bit clunky. As soon as my internet comes back i,'all give you some steps.

When I post pictures in my linked journal are they uploaded into plant files or do I have to load the picture twice?

Also, I'd like to thank the generous vendors.

Lisa, that pot and trellis is gorgeous. One day I must do something like that.

Still waiting on my seed order from 2 months ago.

I've added pictures of the following varieties at 6 weeks from sowing.
Cucurbita maxima 'Blue Ballet'
Cucurbita maxima Strawberry Crown
Cucurbita pepo 'Tatume'
Cucurbita pepo 'Yellow Finn'
Kabocha Squash, Japanese Pumpkin 'Black Forest'

Haven't heard anything.

I order from the old standbys, Johnny's, Harris, Totally Tomatoes, etc. Order online & seeds arrive in a few days.
New squash for me will be;
Narragansett - butternut
Honeynut - butternut
Sunshine - orange buttercup.
Won't plant until after June 1 & direct seed them.

Oh, Karen, I hope you get them soon! I'd be calling the company!

Karen,

Would you like some of mine?

Thanks but no, Still too early to plant here, we have new snow. I'll wait.

My seeds are starting to come up now. We have had a run of cooler weather of late, so even in my cool GH it takes a bit more time.

Cactusman.., I did buy my Speedy Silver from New Dimensions. She used to sell seeds in our local Fred Meyer, but I see they no longer carry New Dimensions, so I am glad she has a web site. I attended a garden lecture where she participated. She is an Oriental lady that lives in Portland OR. She started her company, New Dimensions, and gets her seeds mostly from China.
I especially like her seeds that do not need as much summer heat as some need. Cool summers here.

I started my seeds indoors then transplanted outside after the pecan tree put out leaves. My grandmother always said that after the pecan tree sprouted leaves there would be no more frost. To this day, she's been 100% correct!

Down here in Texas, they say no more frost after the mesquite trees leaf out.

In Oregon I think it's apple trees. They are leafed out and the blossoms are fading but I still don't trust it to be warm enough for squash.

All my squash plants are up now except one. Ironically, it is one of my Speedy Silver Zucs.
Photos soon.

I couldn't find acorn Reba or greek sweet red on plant files, is there another name for them?

Here's Reba: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/180002/

Greek Sweet Red: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/91929/

I'd like to officially join in and think I'm the third person wanting Tromboncino. So, unless bumped, it will be...
1. Zuccheta Tromboncino
2. Waltham butternut
3. Black Beauty zucchini
4. Long Pie Pumpkin
5. Spaghetti squash

This message was edited May 11, 2015 6:51 PM

Got all my seeds planted at both my grandma's place and mine last week and this week. 2 varieties at her place and two here.