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Zucchini and cucumbers?
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Posted by annafl z10a FL (My Page) on Tue, Nov 3, 09 at 15:34
| I would like to be able to grow zucchini since it is about the only squash my family can agree on. It sounds like now is an acceptable time to try? In the past, I've only had brief attempts at growing anything in the pumpkin or squash family, but it was quickly stymied by vine borers. Is this a pest that can be easily controlled this time of year? What about beetles? Is this a common pest? I really don't want to grow anything that I will need to struggle with spraying pests. I am willing to do Bt. The same thing having to do with cucumbers. What are the most common notorious pests and how are they controlled? Is this a good time to plant?
Next question! What is the absolutely best zucchinis and cucumbers you can recommend? I am open to other squashes too if they are disease resistant or have delicious attributes. I am going to place a seed order soon, but needed to get your advice on zucchinis, cucumbers, or other squashes. Any planting or culture tips are very appreciated, as are any anecdotal squash or cucumbr growing opinions. Thanks, everyone!
Anna |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?
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- Posted by tomncath 9B(microclimate 10A) (My Page) on
Tue, Nov 3, 09 at 18:20
| 1) BT will work, just be diligent with WEEKLY spraying, and after it rains...the WHOLE plant. 2) Butterstick, Butterstick, Butterstick.... |
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?
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| The zuchinni that I had very good results with last spring was ANTON(F1)HYBRID from johnnys seed supply. |
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?
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| Yes! Butterstick! I haven't yet found a zucchini that resists mildew very well, but I got a good harvest from Sure Thing last Spring, and am growing it now. Sugar Crunch and Sweet Slice are good cukes, and do resist the mildew to some degree. Sugar Crunch, especially is a fast producer, and sweet and tasty. |
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?
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| Anna I am not in your zone so I don't know what pests you can be dealing with. I grew different kinds of zucchini and cucumber this year. I did not have problems with borers or beetles. We did have the pickleworm, and when it arrive in June I used knee-highs on the cukes and it worked. This season I did not use anything but my regular sprays. I grew different kinds of zucchini and cucumbers this year 
On the left are Costata Romanesco and Butterstick. For flavor and production I liked them both. For longevity, versatility and also good flavor I liked the Table Dainty. And cucumbers, the winner of all that I grew in Spring and Summer is the Asian cucumber that I got at the Oriental store and later on from Tom 
This cucumber is almost seedless, bitterfree and can take the heat and humidity better than some other 20 different varieties that I grew. If I have to pick another would be Diva. Silvia |
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?
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| Well, then, 3 votes for butterstick! That was easy. Because of the amount of space, and the fact that we prefer to eat other things besides squash, I think I'll devote an area to butterstick, and maybe the last area to a cucumber. Now, is cucumber a trailing or climbing vine? Silvia or Tom, would you have maybe 3 or 4 seeds of the asian cucumber to spare? Or do you know its name so I can order some? Silvia, your harvests look so amazing. I never tire of looking at your pictures. Would you tell me how I know when my delicata squash is ready to harvest? I think it should be pretty soon, but I don't know if it is still early. Tom, I just went out and sprayed Bt all over this morning. I will keep after it. BTW, the pics of your garden in the other thread are just beautiful. Everything looks so healthy and tidy! Tell me about the red cups. I must have missed that. Miranda, maybe when I pull the bush beans I will have more space to try the Anton hybrid. I wish my garden was as spacious as yours! Anna |
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?
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Anna, delicata squash should show the markings when ready, also look at the tendril, it should be brown.
To prepare it, slice them in rounds, take the seeds out, the skin is edible. And sauteed in a little bit of olive oil, salt and pepper till tender. 
I can send you some seeds for the Asian cucumber, it is not available online, only in the Oriental market. Tom made an order for them from his market.
It is trailing, which is a good thing for spraying and looking for bugs. 
This picture is in July, when I had to put the knee-highs. I also grew them again and did not need them. I am still harvesting cucumbers. It is a hybrid, so we can not save seeds.
You can save seeds for the Delicata squash. Send me your address to my email, and I will mail you some cucumber seeds. Silvia |
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?-
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Anna, I meant to say this variety of cucumber is a climber.:)
Silvia |
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?
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| Silvia, I would absolutely love a few seeds for the asian cucumber. I hope I can find some seeds you might like. I will email you. Thanks for the hints on the delicata. I think one will be ready very shortly, and that is probably just how I'll prepare it for a side. Thanks again. Anna |
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?
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- Posted by tomncath 9B(microclimate 10A) (My Page) on
Wed, Nov 4, 09 at 19:51
| Beautiful Silvia, you are truly amazing :-) Anna, sometimes the Big Box Burpee seed display has Butterstick but I didn't find them there this fall. Since Burpee mail order is rather pricey I got them from Jung seeds, I hope you can find some as I don't have but a few left. When you get the cukes going it's critical you spray the buds and new growth at the vine tips with BT, that's where the eggs are laid, then worms so small you can't see them migrate down to the bigger leaves where they become monsters. Keep the buds sprayed and you'll see them dropping like files before your leaves are riddled with holes :-) The red cups are to wick moisture out of the cuke and zuke containers. They will easily suffer from PM/DM if the mix stays wet too long, and being right on the lake the soil mix will stay too wet at night if there is no breeze, dew laden in the morning. Not an ideal environment for veggie gardening but I love my fresh veggies and I'm not giving them up :-) :-( |
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?
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| Please check out Poinsette 76. I have ALWAYS had problems with powdery mildew and cukes. Poinsette 76 is VERY resistant and excellent producer. You will be pleased if you use this. I provided a link with description of this excellent cuke for the south. And Zuc. are always tough, follow some of the above regiments closely. Zuc is always playing defence to Powdery Mildew and Bugs. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Poinsette 76
RE: Zucchini and cucumbers?
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| Thanks, Tom, for all the tips. I am lazy to spray, so I will really need to make a concerted effort to do it without fail. That's interesting about the red cups being a wick. That seems like a lot of work to do that, but whatever works! Linchat, good to know about the Poinsette 76 cuke. I have been lucky so far that I haven't seen PM. I hope I didn't jinx myself right now. Anna |
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