I planted about 30 seeds and it seems at least 25 have sprouted. They are now in seeding planter. It is April and I live in Florida. It seems I planted winter squash in summer. HELP. Can I salvage these plants?
Winter squash does not mean it is grown in winter. It grows in the summer, just like other squash. It is called winter squash because it will store for the winter, where summer squash will not and must be eaten during the summer.
I intend to grow both spaghetti and zucchini squash. Do I need to worry about cross-pollination? If so, how far apart do they need to be planted?
Squash may require as much as 500 feet between varieties to prevent cross-pollination. However, you only need to worry about cross-pollination of squash if you save the seeds for planting next year.
Here is an article or two that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/cross-pollination.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/controlling-cross-pollination.htm
I planted 3 varieties of squash this year from Walmart--they were labelled spaghetti, crookneck and zucchini. Most are doing well with lots of flowers and starting to bear fruit (my first spaghetti squash is on the vine!). Three of the plants developed into very large bush plants with giant leaves on long stems BUT they have not produced any flowers or fruit. Can't figure out what is going on since they get same care as others. Don't know what to do since it is mid summer now. The plants look very happy with healthy green foliage, but if there is no hope for any production, should I pull out so surrounding plants can benefit? Could these plants be something else for which there is still hope?
They are getting too much nitrogen. This causes large amounts of leaf growth but little to no flowers. If they are all located in the same spot, there may have been a pocket of nitrogen heavy amendment in that spot, maybe from manure that was not thoroughly worked into the soil.
You can try giving them some phosphorous rich fertilizer, which will help balance out the soil again. Bone meal is the common amendment for this, but may not be able to release its phosphorous fast enough to help you with getting these annuals to produce before they die, so you may need to look to chemical fertilizers.
One of my squash plants is dying, probably from powdery mildew. All the leaves are yellowing and dying. I'd like to pull the entire plant out now, but there's a squash on the vine that isn't ripe yet. If I pick this immature squash, will it continue to ripen? Not sure what kind of squash it is (seed pack was 'assorted'), but probably acorn, although it looks a little too oblong. Might be spaghetti squash. Also, I'm going to treat the surrounding plants with mixture of baking soda, soap, water and canola oil. Should I rinse plant leaves off after it dries?
Whether it will ripen or not depends on how far into the maturation process it is. If you knock on it and it feels and sounds pretty solid, it will likely continue to ripen after you pick it. But, if it feels soft and almost more like a summer squash than a winter one, it will not be ready to ripen off the vine.
Do not wash the solution off. It needs to stay on to fight the fungus. Just an FYI, make sure the soap you use does not contain bleach. Many soap companies are now adding bleach to their soaps and it will kill the plants.
My spaghetti squash has 'wilted'. If I pick the green squash, will they continue to ripen?
Sometimes they will. It depends on how close to maturity they were. This article will help you try:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/ripening-green-unripe-squash.htm
I planted spaghetti squash and it grew. What a surprise. Now, when do I pick it? I know when I buy them at the farmer's market they are yellow. Do I wait for them to turn yellow? They are now a light green/whitish color. Please help.
Give them a little more time on the vine and they should turn yellow. This article will help with when to harvest (go to the bottom half of the article): https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/when-to-harvest-squash-best-time-to-pick-winter-or-summer-squash.htm
I have a few spaghetti squash questions. 1) I bought seed for spaghetti squash that had a picture of the mature squash on the package; however, my spaghetti squash never seemed to turn yellow. Instead, they are all a very light, light green. Is there something wrong with them? What can I do to change the color? 2) Is spaghetti squash considered a summer or a winter squash? 3) When is the correct time to harvest them?
1) They may not be ripe yet. Give them a little more time on the vine and they should turn yellow.
2) It is a winter squash.
3) This article will help with when to harvest (go to the bottom half of the article): https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/when-to-harvest-squash-best-time-to-pick-winter-or-summer-squash.htm