Courgettes

Hi

My wife and I are discovering the joys of growing our own. We currently have a very healthy Courgette which has amazed us with some fantastic fruit. Time to plan some pickle, me thinks.

I know it's early yet, but when it has ceased to give us fruit, what do we do then ? Do we cut it back ? How do we do it ? I have no idea what "pinching out" means. We are very much Noobs.

 

Sadly when it ceases giving fruits its the great compost heap in the sky Its a short but glorious life :OUCH:

 

Thanks. That has made decisions easier.

Just as a matter of interest; I have read recommendations that you should "pinch out" to reduce the leaf growth and incease the fruit. Pinching out is what ? And what do you pinch out ?

 

When you grow a plant from seed or cutting etc :WINK1: ,after it has reached a certain height ,varies from plant to plant, Pinch off the growing point and it will force the plant to make a bushier shape, sweet peas are a good example.:happydance:

 

So "pinching out" just means breaking off ?

 

Yep, nothing too technical

 

Hi Oxexpat.

'Pinching out' means to take out the lead shoot, as you say, to break off. I'm not aware however that one should do this with Courgettes? It's normally done to encourage side shoots, to make a plant bushier. It's not always the case though. For instance, one does it with tomatoes to 'stop' the plant from growing any more, to encourage ripening of the fruit. Hope this helps.

Cheers...Freddy.

 

Thanks everybody.

 

Good point Freddy,

I don't pinch out my Corgettes, just let them get on with it.