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When to harvest crown prince squash

Last post 19-09-2009 7:50 PM by seedsgrowing. 6 replies.

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  • 12/09/2009 11:53 AM
    • Tammy
    • Brighton
    • 14 May 2009
    • 69
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    Hello everyone, hope things are going well with the crop:

    I wanted to ask about my crown prince, I have 4 fruits growing very well so far, there is one that is big really big, and the other three still medium size, the problem is I am not sure if I should harvest the biggest one, because I havent got a clue how it has to look to show me it is ready for me to munch hmmm.

    Well hope any of you can tell me

    best wishes

    Tammy
  • 12/09/2009 12:11 PM
    In reply to
    • miranda
    • Oxfordshire
    • 17 Nov 2004
    • 2,976
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    Hi Tammy,

    The first one I cut was this big:

    If they get much bigger, you'll need to have a party and no one goes home without eating some!

  • 13/09/2009 02:15 PM
    In reply to
    • Tammy
    • Brighton
    • 14 May 2009
    • 69
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    Cool thanks, now I have an idea about the size, can you tell me how do you attach the photo straigh on the page?

    thanks a lot

    Tammy
  • 13/09/2009 02:33 PM
    In reply to
    • miranda
    • Oxfordshire
    • 17 Nov 2004
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    There are some instructions here, Tammy: http://mygarden.rhs.org.uk/forums/t/18506.aspx
  • 13/09/2009 08:25 PM
    In reply to
    • Tammy
    • Brighton
    • 14 May 2009
    • 69
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    Thank you x
  • 13/09/2009 08:34 PM
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    Gather your squashes when the skin is hard, the neck is dryish and woody and it rings hollow when lightly tapped with the knuckles. I never cut the neck, but sever the vines leaving the neck intact to limit infection danger to the fruit. You cannot leave the fruits too long, but best not let them get frosted. Beware squirrels they will, er, squirrel into the fruits after the seeds. Store warmish to start with say 12-20C to allow any wounds to heal and fruits to mature then store cooler but best not below 5C. Crown Prince last until March in Chez Bogweevil but I am very mean indeed with the central heating. I also grow Queensland Blue and Invincible, but CP does best. Alas none quite match Miranda's as the soil has dried to dust this year. Boggy

    Beware the bat-eared bogweevil
  • 19/09/2009 07:50 PM
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    My goodness, that is extremely impressive! Mine are no more than about 9 inches across - and I wish they'd developed more fruit per plant. *sigh*  I don't think I added enough organic matter to the soil, back at planting time. What with that and the lack of rain here in Kent this summer...

     I'm thinking of going to Yalding Organic Garden's day on growing squash next month, see if I can pick up some more tips there for next year. Has anyone else been to one of their workshops? Are they good?