The main purpose of a greenhouse (conservatory or hothouse) is to shield the plants from extreme temperatures – cold or hot – and pests. The greenhouse It makes it possible to properly monitor the temperature, moisture levels, and the overall health of the plants all year round.
How Do Courgettes Grow in a Greenhouse?
Courgettes are veggies that grow better in the greenhouse as they do best in a warm environment during the summer months. Moreover, if you want your courgettes to grow all year round, your greenhouse will work that miracle – so a greenhouse is a must for courgettes!
The courgettes need to propagate in the greenhouse, be watered, fertilized and generally pampered in their early growth before being transferred and planted into larger containers. Frankly, they would prefer to remain in the greenhouse during their maturity until you harvest them for cooking! They don’t like living outside!
To Propagate Courgettes
Sew the courgette seeds between March and May, about 1 cm deep in well-fertilized soil. Place one single seed into a large pot with 7.5 cm in size. This is a good way for the plant to grow well because they like plenty of room to grow and can spread out.
From one packet of seeds, not all them sown will grow as some seeds cannot grow or germinate totally. Yet, with care, the more significant amount of seeds should be able to germinate and sprout.
All pots should be labeled, covered with a propagator lid and placed in a warm area for seven days of propagation. As soon as you can see the first sign of growth – which is a small stem and the first tiny leaf – you can now remove the propagator lid.
The pots should then be placed in a sunny spot in the greenhouse so that the courgettes have more bright light and you can see the excellent results of their growth.
Make sure to protect the young plants as they are very vulnerable until they develop further and become properly established.
To Water And Fertilize
The main requirement for healthy courgettes is adequate water intake. They are thirsty plants, so frequent watering is essential for their growth. They prefer fertile, well-drained, and loamy soil or topsoil and will benefit and develop better from such rich soil.
Keep them well watered and fed and also keep the soil around the plant moist. Feed them once a week and add a plentiful amount of compost. They require a great deal of potassium and nitrogen, particularly during the time of their fruiting.
To Transfer Young Plants To Bigger Pots
Courgette seeds will sprout and germinate within five to seven days. Then it is time to transfer by transplanting them into a large, permanent container. Courgettes are easy to grow in containers. One courgette plant will produce fruit for several weeks. They grow big and bushy and take up lots of space.
Thus:
- Fill the big container of 7.5 cm in size with a potting mixture and moisten the potting mix until it is loose and soft.
- Slide the seedling from the pot and arrange it into the new big container with the bottom of the stem planted at the very depth in the soil; as it was in the previous seedling pot.
- Slowly, pat down the soil to settle the seedling into the new big container.
- Take good care of the courgettes as they grow in the greenhouse because healthy courgettes should begin to shoot up rapidly.
- At that point, transfer them into a bigger pot to give them space they need to sprawl and flourish.
To Plant Out
If ever, you have a large greenhouse, then, courgettes can be kept growing under glass. They will also thrive in a warm environment. Since the cold frosts have passed, it is now the time to plant the courgettes outside.
Rather, don’t plant out the courgettes if the weather is cold and windy. It is necessary to pick a sheltered sunny spot for the courgettes in order to protect them from the strong winds.
Courgettes are not hardy plants and take up a large space considering having huge leaves. Take this into account while planting the courgettes; the distance will be 1 meter between the plants.
Soon space will be filled by the courgettes. It is best to make sure of the protection of the courgettes for the slugs and snails.
Do Courgettes Have Separate Male And Female Flowers?
Yes, courgettes have separate male and female flowers. You can spot the difference by looking at the stalk. The male one is plain, but the female one carries a little fruit below the flower. Sometimes, courgettes produce male flowers only for a few weeks before producing female flowers.
Courgette flowers are delicacies and could be eaten and added to salads.
Some Problems Courgettes Could Encounter In The Greenhouse
Here are some common problems that affect the growth of the courgettes. Take a look at these.
- Some seeds fail to sprout.
Seeds have been planted too deep.
Poor soil and too much or too little water.
To avoid this problem, take good care when planting.
- Some seedlings fail to thrive.
This is caused by some fungus and molds.
Pathogens are also present.
It is very important to make our containers clean.
- A fungus that looks like white dust.
It won’t kill the plant but will reduce its productivity.
By removing the infected leaves can help lessen the spread.
Frequent water could also reduce mildew.
- Grey Mould.
It is a disease that appears in the plant.
It’s common in humid conditions.
Can be solved by removing the infected areas.
Also reduce the humidity in the greenhouse through proper ventilation.
- Rotting fruit or no fruit.
It tends to be a common problem.
Only temporary due to cool weather resulting in poor pollination.
- Not enough water and irregular watering.
Lack of calcium and magnesium in the soil.
- Leaves or fruits are distorted.
This might be distorted or small.
Eventually, any fruit can be deformed due to the mosaic virus.
This could be in the seeds, aphids can carry it also.
If your plants have a mosaic virus, pull out the plant and destroy it.
Sanitize your garden tools.
- Parts of the courgettes are wilting.
This is caused by pests.
If your plant has an infestation of pests, the leaves will begin to wilt.
Most likely, they can stunt plant growth and reduce the fruit’s yield.
Look for the best preventive pest control measures.
- The entire courgettes wilts.
This is caused by bacterial wilt, which is the bacterium.
The Courgette is not getting enough water.
Give the Courgette a good soak with a garden hose and hope it perks up.
If not, bacterial wilt is present.
- Flowers fall off.
The most common reason for flowers falling off, they are male blossoms and have already done their job.
Poor pollination could also be the cause of the blossoms falling.
What Are Courgettes?
Courgette is a variety of cucurbit and is of the same family as cucumber, squash, and melon. Perhaps, it’s one of the most common and popular vegetables in the squash family and it’s tender and easy to cook.
They can be steamed, fried (in butter!), blanched or eaten raw. On some occasions, courgettes are served as dessert, and are also used in Zucchini bread.
They are a good source of Vitamin A and low in calories. Courgettes contain a healthy supply of manganese and potassium.
Courgette is also called Zucchini in Italy. Zucchini comes from an Italian word for squash, ‘Zucca’. In France, they are known as Courgette, which comes from the french word for vegetable. They are also referred to as Baby Marrows, which are separate varieties of summer squash that grow to a larger size yet also have a good taste. They are all more or less the same, no matter what name you know them as.
Typically, there are varieties of available courgettes, from green to yellow courgettes, and their ability is to climb upwards rather than grow outwards. They thrive on vines and generally have a similar shape to a cucumber.
Courgettes are usually picked and harvested under 20 cm or 8 inches in length, and their seeds are soft and immature. However, the mature courgettes could be as much as a meter long and often fibrous. Courgettes with flowers are a sign of genuinely fresh and immature fruit for which most people search.
Final Thoughts
It is essential every day to check on your plants. Look for every detail that your plants need. Courgettes are wonderful vegetables – easy to cook and great to eat!
For the best flavor, pick your courgettes while they’re small. This should also ensure continuous production throughout the season.
You might also be able to harvest every 2-3 days. They are ready for the kitchen for slow roasting, frying in butter, or even eating raw.
The whole purpose of growing them is to enjoy their eating in whatever manner you choose.
Don’t forget to feel good about your accomplishment in growing these little beauties, and take a bow for your ability to bring such picture-perfect adaptable nourishment into the world.
Jenny Marie
Tribal Writer
Edited By
Patricia Godwin
