[JohnB47]

Hi.

After trying unsuccessfully to germinate my own 'all green bush' courgettes, I finally gave in and bought a few from the local garden centre. But they're labelled only as 'courgette F1'.

I asked the counter assistant if they could tell me the variety - he said he couldn't but that they were female plants and would bear lots of fruit.

Presumably there are loads of F1 varieties, so there's no way of knowing which variety mine are?

BTW, how on earth do you germinate courgette seeds? I've never had a 100% failure rate with anything else.

Cheers.

[Auntiemogs]

Sorry I can't help with the variety John but hopeyou get lots of lovely courgettes! 
I've never had such a problem with germination of squash seeds as I have this year (had loads which just rotted) but I read somewhere that the seeds can be chitted so I'm going to give it a go next year (worked really well with my beans and peas this year).
Mags

[arugula]

The courgette germination isn't normally, but has been a bit sticky this year due the funny weather. Shame your "all green bush" didn't germinate for you, its a great fruiting variety which we've grown before. Perhaps once you see the fruits on your bought plants, it'll be easier to identify them.

[JohnB47]

Thanks.

Is it too late now to try germinating courgettes? Just wondering.

[mumofstig]

I've just sown some backups, as the first lot don't look too happy 

[JohnB47]

I've just sown some backups, as the first lot don't look too happy 

Any tips? I can't get mine to do anything at all. Put them in the oven?? 

[GYO Girl]

Have you tried germinating in a heated propagator?  My all green bush germinated in less than a week that way. 

[mumofstig]

That's what I use, and with the seed on edge, rather than flat.

[compostqueen]

I have some in my heated prop now as the first lot failed to germinate. They were up in a few days. The heat is off now by the way, and the lid is off. Today they will go into the unheated greenhouse and get potted on maybe tomorrow if they're big enough.  They will go in at the plot once the squally weather calms down

Courgettes are dead simple to propagate from seed as a rule so don't be put off. This year's been a bit peculiar    There are some wonderful varieties and life is too short for just one.  I love the one with cog-like rings when you slice it - er um Romanesco I think or it could be Striato    They yellow ones are excellent and are great in cakes

Don't get me started  

[JohnB47]

Thanks all.

I think a heated propagator is on the cards. I've been put off buying one 'til now because I thought you only used them when it is really cold - ie during Jan - Mar (like when starting off onion seeds) and I don't have a cold frame and don't want to keep them in the house, so starting them off when they can't go out on the plot fairly soon would be a problem.

Now I've realised that you can use one even as late as now, so it seems something I can really use.

I'll have a look over on the 'Equipment Shed' section for ideas.

Cheers.

[LilacSandy]

I use my heated propogator all the time, it only cost £15 and has been going for three years now so don't think that you need to spend a fortune unless you really want an all singing all dancing one.

[compostqueen]

Mine are donkeys years old.  I even have my mother's ones from years back and they're still working fine.  Sometimes you can use them just for gentle bottom heat (the seeds that is, not yours) without the lid 

[mumofstig]

Lucy cat assumes it's for her bottom when it's on and tries to squeeze into any available space 

[arugula]

Lucy cat assumes it's for her bottom when it's on

[JohnB47]

Is there any difference between types. Eg are there versions that simply stay on and others that have a thermostat. One type better than another?