The trouble with courgettes

[greeny dazza]

Need a bit of help with my courgetts? They are wilting like mad, grown them under U.V lights about 4 inchs tall now but a bit ill? have 3 in a 10 inch pot and two in another, get about 3 hours sun when it shines. Have plenty of water, not too much tho. Have new growth since first leaves from seed, been planted about 2 months. what you think?

[Paulottie]

Honestly ...bin em and resow in Mid-Late April...they are then slowly introduced to outside conditions and planted out in late May.

Anything that is tall and pale means not enough light and too much heat...you won't be able to keep them alive till it is warm enough to grow them outside.

[greeny dazza]

opps they looked so promising too will try again.

[rustylady]

You started them far too early. I sow mine in April, one seed per 3 inch pot. Germinate in heated propagator and then move to windowsill, then to unheated greenhouse. Only pot on when roots have filled the pot and they have several true leaves. BTW, can you add your location to your profile, pretty please.

[Two_Sheds]

They grow so quick, that there is no advantage to starting them indoors so early. Mid-late April is fine. They can't go outside until May anyhoo

[Jimmy]

Invest in a good tall frame or stand it on a row or two of bricks. Then get them in early for a good crop.
I always liked the Victorian idea of hot beds. You dig a hole the size of your frame and then fill it with fresh "hot" manure. Top of with soil and refit the frame.

This year I am going to try some climbing courgettes and pumpkins. I have a nice narrow border next to my green house. I will grow them up the sunny side on a bean net. Think some will need tying in.
Jimmy ( Starting to get the gardening jitters , want to do sooo much )

[gojiberry]

May have sown mine a bit to early (last week) but already the roots are out the bottom of a 5" pot. Will take them off the heat and see if I can slow their growth down a bit without letting them get to cold.

Ian

[Flummery]

Late April here too. They need a good hardening off period too. I never use heat for cucurbits. They have a tendency to lankiness and floppiness anyway. Grow them harder, they'll benefit.

[Beki]

I agree with that flummery. I prefer to grow everything possible 'harder', as in the long run they seem to end up healthier and more vigourous