courgettes looking sad

I planted out my courgettes about 2 weeks ago and they do not appear to have grown very much and are looking a bit droopy. I have made sure they are watered and they are in good soil in a large pot. Might there be any reason for them not growing as in the past they have been very healthy and productive?

If they went out 2 weeks ago I would reckon they were hit by frost. Don’t worry just sow a couple more seeds they will grow rapidly in present conditions and provide back up or succession.

Mine have not germinated (duff seed I think). There is time to resow though.

I find most cucurbit seeds (especially old seed) can be prone to rotting off even having germinated (but before they break the soil surface.)

Think it's important not to over-water after the initial sowing and watering.

Quote from: JayG on May 21, 2020, 12:14

I find most cucurbit seeds (especially old seed) can be prone to rotting off even having germinated (but before they break the soil surface.)

Think it's important not to over-water after the initial sowing and watering.

Thanks, I bought that particular seed Black something, a climber, this year. None of the original batch (6) germinated and the supplier sent me some more. That is the only one to break the surface. I haven't, in my mind, over watered but perhaps next time I'll go for every other day instead of every day.

Off to sow some more carrots...

You could try chitting the seeds first, just pop in an old marg tub with some damp kitchen paper and put somewhere warm. They should sprout in a couple of days and then pop into pots. I find them more prone to rotting when put straight into soil, maybe there are more fungus around to attack them.

If the variety is black beauty, I planted some of these this year. The seed was old, and out of three planted, one rotted, but the other two took well over 2 weeks to break the surface. I kept them moist and warm. The other courgette seeds, golden something, all came up within a few days and are now in the allotment getting very large.  The Blank beauty are still quite small and taking their time to get going.

Quote from: Nobbie on May 21, 2020, 20:55

You could try chitting the seeds first, just pop in an old marg tub with some damp kitchen paper and put somewhere warm. They should sprout in a couple of days and then pop into pots. I find them more prone to rotting when put straight into soil, maybe there are more fungus around to attack them.

That's a good idea, thanks. I have 2 seeds left!

Thank you, they have sprouted!!