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

Here are those pics. Also, my Calabash vines are forming male flowerbuds. (not pics. yet). Last photo is that of 'Casper' female flower bud.

The disadvantage of raising a single squash/pumpkin vine; is that if the time is right for pollination -- and there is only a 'gal' or a 'chap' without the suitor to match up. Not to mention the match-maker (pollinator) present to perform the ceremony. lol

Here comes, the bride, but I don't see a mature enough groom. Does anyone know, if a 24- hours old male flower' pollens saved will successfully pollinate the female flower? Aww, I'm talking about surrogate parenting issues here. I'm considering saving the male flower that bloomed this morning, to pollinate the female flower in early morning tomorrow. Your input is appreciated.
1. The female flower (I suspect that will open tomorrow morning).
2. A not so mature male flower bud, with the mature one that opened this morning.

At the meantime, I'm germinating a few more pumpkins seeds and Luffa seeds.

1) 3 'Casper' pumpkin seeds and 3 Luffa seeds ready to pot up.
2) I potted the seeds up because the risk of losing these seedling to critters digging up seedlings is great here.
3 & 5) The female flower is showing more coloring as the day progresses, it's definitely going to open up in the morning.
4) The calabash vine putting out male flower buds.

Things are looking good for you girls. Love the pics.

I've planted my new seed and they have sprouted beautifully! I asked my mom what my dad used on his squash plants and she said sevin dust. Has anyone else used it? I'm going to try it. I don't like using it, but I'm not losing my new babies!

Lilylove, I am having the same problem with critters digging things up. I have Stargazer lilies over a foot tall and some critter, ground squirrel I think, dug them up. Three times already! Ate my Freesias down to a nub! And I haven't planted my squash in the ground for that very reason. Any one have any suggestions how to discourage ground squirrels? Cayenne and Red pepper flakes aren't working. I think he likes the stuff!

sevin dust = poison

Julie, my seasoned- gardeners in my community use Sevin dust. Their straight neck squash are growing like they're on steroid. Not because of the Sevin, but how they fertilize them...

I did notice however, their squash have no evidence of SVB damage. So yes, on one hand, it must be a tried and true method. On the other hand, I understand that because of improper use of insecticides can impact our natural pollinators. So before I pull out the big gun. I'll try other measures such as successive seeding, replacing damaged plants with new seeds over the growing season.

@Nanny23, hah, here say; my hairstylist tipped me that human hair spread on the soil will deter deer, rabbits and may be effective against squirrels and such? I don't know for sure.

Good morning drthor. thanks for your input.

Everyone, when I said "successive seeding" I meant "successive sowing". Sorry for the wording.

Oh, above picture is my first 'Casper' baby. LOL, I hand pollinated the beauty this morning. I'm so thrilled! I can't wait to see this pumpkin hanging on my arbor.

All pesticides are poisonous to insects organic or not. Organic doesn't = safe. Snake bites are organic. Arsenic is natural.

LOL that's my favorite line when someone goes on about "natural" foods.

The first 3 pics. are those of 'Casper' pumpkin vine and a Calabash growing in a large container this morning. 24 hours after hand-pollination. The female flower looks good, and new male flower opens this morning as well. The pumpkin vine almost reached the other end of the arbor. I thought of nip some of the tip of the vine to encourage branching. The last 2 pics. are first, the male Calabash flower, and a first female calabash flower. Here goes! Everything appears to be heading onto a right direction.

wow !
You live in Paradise!

Have never seen nipping a squash vine to cause branching. Good luck with that.

OK, I'll stay away from the sevin dust. I don't use anything in my yard that can harm any pollinators. I even hate using mosquito spray just for one evening if we are having a family gathering, but I do. I'll stick to the natural methods.

BTW, I have found that fish based fertilizer will make things grow like crazy!

This message was edited Jun 11, 2015 4:54 PM

Yes, it does. It's my favorite. :)

It doesn't matter if it is natural, organic or synthetic a pesticide kills bugs. It can't tell which is bug is good and which is bad...an insecticide is an insecticide. Organic or natural just makes it sound good.

Oops, I was referring to fish fertilizer.

Oops I meant the sevin dust!

lol.

Thanks all for your feedback. Here are some pics. this AM, will share more later. Gotta run.

p.s. Please disregard this calabash posting. It's NOT one of my selected variety in this forum contest. Only the 'India Long' calabash that IS.
edited 6/25/15 for correction of error posting.

This message was edited Jun 25, 2015 5:15 PM

Looking very good, Lily_love.

In every bad story, there is some thing positive about it. I've grown the biggest Zuke, I've ever seen. LOL

The 4th picture, one can see the culprits that caused me grief. I posted them in the bug I.D. forum for positive identification. In my novice experience; I guess these may be the SVB? because they don't fit the description of pickle worms. What do you think?

Im back from vacation, need to get these pics uploaded! :)

Welcome back gardening friend. :)

The backyard progress with those that are in containers. Yesterday pics.

1. 'Casper' new female flower bud.
2. Calabash vine reached the top of the 9' tall arbor.
3. 'Casper' first hand pollinated female flower appears to have accepted the pollens successfully. Yeah!!!

This message was edited Jun 13, 2015 11:15 AM

Today pictures:
1. Calabash with wilted male flower that open up last evening. Unlike the pumpkin flowers. This variety flowers open up in the evening instead of early morning.
2. Pumpkin 'Casper' day #3 after hand pollination.
3. New seedling of pumpkin vine and ridged luffa seeds. (shown; pumpkin seedlings).
4. Male flower bud that of the Calabash.
5. Another Calabash male flower bud that probably will open up this evening.

VERMICELLI

GREEN TIGER

COUGAR F1

This message was edited Jun 14, 2015 6:18 AM

Have you tried waiting for the pics. to be up loaded before you push the "send" button?

This message was edited Jun 14, 2015 6:19 AM

OMG just posting under pics from now on, none of my pics or posts are showing up

I tried to sow 3 more of the pumpkin seeds, and 3 of the Luffa. However, only 1 Luffa seedling germinated, one was eaten by perhaps, slug or snail? 3 of the pumpkins made it. I potted them up around noon today.

'Casper' 1st fruit continue to swell at a rapid pace.

Good lucks badcat. :)



This message was edited Jun 14, 2015 2:34 PM

Lily, your squash fruit issue is still cucumber pickle worms. Until you get control you will continue to have problems with the fruit of most varieties. The worms morph through several stages. They are described as greenish but start out as white or slightly yellow, turn somewhat green and eventually darken to green or slightly brown. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) labeled as Dipel or Thuricide for control. No matter what the worm, this will control the problem.

Thanks MaypopLaurel, will do.

Once you have worms in fruit it's a good idea to soak all harvested fruit for ten or fifteen minutes to expel hidden worms. Otherwise the worms might travel from fruit to fruit and damage otherwise good squash.

For big zucchinis I grate them, skin and all, and make fritters. Another option is to slice in half and cut around the inside edge being careful not to cut through skin. Then cut long strips and cross hatch. Remove flesh (grapefruit spoon is great for this) and saute, along with diced onion, in bacon drippings from which several slices of bacon have been prepared. Add to reserved crumbled bacon and enough stuffing mix, either herb or cornbread, to fill squash "boats" along with an egg to bind and some grated cheese. Swiss or cheddar work well. Top the boats with additional cheese and bake 'til cheese melts and begins to color. You can substitute ham or make a vegetarian version with olive oil. You can add other veggies such as carrots or cooked spinach. Boats can be made well in advance and are, with a salad, a complete meal. I often end up with oversized zucchini because we are away from the garden for up to a week. On the plus side, they can be stored for weeks, even a month, without refrigeration.

MaypopLaurel - I enjoyed reading over your solution for fixing oversized zucks. Sounds yummy. I may have to give that a try.

Planted some birdhouse gourds and some ornamental gourds this morn around a huge brush pile. I've been wanting to do that for a long while and it just took minutes - not sure why I waited soooo long. Then while I was at it, I planted some on a brushy road bank. Never know if it will work, unless we try.

Like brendak654, I appreaciate MaypopLaurel's sharing of the recipes. Thank you. I'll see about trying some different way of preparing zukes. At the meantime I found myself eating a lot more healthier with the experience of growing veggies at home. Thanks all.

Question for all, will the oversized zuke be edible? I afraid it maybe too tough? I washed it out, and stored it in the fridge with my other veggies until I decide to cook them.

For now, I lost 7 yellow squash (fruits) to the bugs, and I had one that was edible. I cooked and ate it at lunch. It was tender, and delicious!