Gem Squash Plants - How big do they grow?

Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:32 am

Greetings from a sunny South Africa. I'm a novice (1st year) gardener and loving every moment of it.

I've planted a few test cases for my first go to see how things go and in one bin I planted 6 gem squash seeds, since day one they have been growing very well. I don't want to cut it back , but was curious to how big they grow?

It has about 20-30 gems on it and it doesn't seem to be slowing down.

Next year I think I'll be moving them to the corner of the garden instead :lol:

Pictures included.

Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:07 pm

The plants themselves can get huge, up to 30 feet long so give them lots of room.

Gem squash, what originally came to mind was something different from what I see in your pictures but, what I see shouldn't get much larger than they are right now.

Incidentally, squash, beans and corn are all companion plants meaning that they feed eachother, aid eachother in growth and helpf to ward off pests as well as several other benficial factors. They also help to build the soil and healthy soil means healthy plants and healthy you.

So in the future; dig trenchs in your little garden and plant corn seeds (4 inches deep, 1/2 to 1 foot apart) atop the mounds and allow them to germinate then plant beans on either side of each corn seedling, once those are up, plant squash in the trenches. Water accordingly.

You'll also notice that all three plants will grow that much better.

Happy gardening, be sure to read all the articles on the website.

Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:05 am

opabinia51 wrote:.

So in the future; dig trenchs in your little garden and plant corn seeds (4 inches deep, 1/2 to 1 foot apart) atop the mounds and allow them to germinate then plant beans on either side of each corn seedling, once those are up, plant squash in the trenches. Water accordingly.

.

Very good advice, thank Q, this year as stated was to get an idea if this is something that I'd enjoy, it is. When I plant the next crop, I'm going to think out my spacing quite a bit better as I'm not using all of the space to full effect.

Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:04 pm

Have fun with it! Gardening can provide you with hours of therapeutic work and enjoyment and you are able to reap the benefits of harvesitng your own, home grown, organic foods.

Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:56 am

Gary, glad to see you doing so well with this. You might find building an 'A' frame trellis helpful with those large vines in a small space.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/vegetabletrellis
http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/extra ... -video.php

Newt

Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:02 am

Newt wrote:Gary, glad to see you doing so well with this. You might find building an 'A' frame trellis helpful with those large vines in a small space.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/vegetabletrellis
http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/extra ... -video.php

Newt

WOW, that is simply great. Question though, is it too late to build a trellis now and simply drape the vines over? or would I have to wait till next season?

I'm surprised at how hollow and fragile the vines are.

Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:33 am

Gary, you might be able to train the newer growth to grow up the trellis.

Newt

Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:36 am

Newt wrote:Gary, you might be able to train the newer growth to grow up the trellis.

Newt

I'll give it a whirl when I'm in the garden tomorrow. I love that idea of a trellis. One last question, when do you actually pick the squash? I checked this morning and with our recent rains, they seem to be growing a whole lot bigger.

Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:03 am

You should find these sites helpful as to when to harvest.
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/L291-w.htm
http://www.savvygardener.com/Features/h ... ables.html

I'd love to see pictures of your trellis!

Newt

Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:14 am

Wow nice sites.

I have the whole day tomorrow for pottering around, and I have a HEAP of bamboo that I collected a few weeks ago, so I should have enough to make a faily decent/ strong one.

I'll post some pictures of this after the weekend.

Thanks again for all of the help.

Sat Nov 17, 2007 6:17 pm

Gary, I'd love to see pictures! Have fun in the garden.

Newt

Mon Nov 19, 2007 5:22 am

Well all went pretty well this weekend.

I got my trellis up, may not look the best, but it cost me nothing and it's sturdy.

I got some larney plant zip ties to attach the stalks, but I'll be changing this out for some nylon stocking as soon as I can raid the wifes cupboard as the ties only expand to a certain size.

I managed to get about 3 of the existing growths attached to the trellis and I've attached 3 smaller ones to the base, so I'll check up on them during the week and see how they are going.

Sunday lunch yesterday consisted of spinach and gems from the garden, very tasty, albeit, they cook a WHOLE lot faster than store bought., (I'll have to remember that).

Mon Nov 19, 2007 6:14 pm

Wow, that is fantastic. :!:

You put a big smile on my face.

Newt

Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:12 pm

Wow! That looks great, having them on the trellis will also prevent any soil fungi from getting into your squash and spoiling them. Also, the sun will reach the actuall squash quicker and ripen them that much faster.

Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:42 pm

opabinia51 wrote:Wow! That looks great, having them on the trellis will also prevent any soil fungi from getting into your squash and spoiling them. Also, the sun will reach the actuall squash quicker and ripen them that much faster.

I actually noticed that some of the squash that were yellow on the lower side are now actually green all the way round now. This is a definate improvement. There are three squash that I'm picking tonight for dinner that I'll take some pictures of when I cut them open.

They have ripened them in under a week where the others of the same size are still a bit too soft, it's made a noticeable difference.