Your comments and tips

01 Dec 23, Lina Vennix (Australia - temperate climate)

I would like to thank Ken for his advice on 23/9/23 I have successfully grow the marrows and have had to hand pollinate the flowers using a small brush. A lot of the small female fruit have dropped off the plant but so far have 3 marrows growing well. Can you advise how to keep the seeds, at what stage do I collect them?

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14 Dec 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Don't use a brush just use the male flower to pollinate the female flower as advised. For seed collection let the marrow grow really big then leave it for a couple of weeks then take the seeds out and let dry for a few weeks. Store a cool place or put in a jar and put in the fridge.

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17 Sep 23, Lina vennix (Australia - temperate climate)

How do I identify a male and female Mediterranean marrow flower to pollinate to get marrows? I found some old seeds that I have germinated in seed trays and don’t want to lose them as I have had difficulty in finding the right marrow for our traditionalMaltese dish. I plan to donate some to the seed bank to ensure furture generations can enjoy!

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19 Sep 23, Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Australian Marrow varieties, like Zuccini are all from the Pepo family of pumpkins. Female flowers will have a tiny immature fruit at the base, while male flowers will end at the stem. Its normal for the first flush of flowers to be male only. This attracts bees to the plant before it puts energy into female flowers. You can hand pollinate by plucking a male flower, stripping the petals and then brushing the pollen on the stamen across the female flower's stigma. Marrow varieties still sold in Australia are Australian White, Cowlard Greens, Long Green Bush, Long Green Bush II, Giant, & Melbourne Cream. Australian White & Melbourne Cream may date back to World War II at least. If the squash you are growing is Cucuzza, an old mediterranean variety of gourd, then you will need to seek advice from someone else. The good news is Cucuzza seed is not rare, it is available from Eden Seeds, The Seed Collection and several other online seed stores.

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16 Jun 22, Ballsy (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Can I grow marrow in NTH QLD Australia?

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23 Apr 21, Jane (Australia - tropical climate)

Where can I get good old proper marrow seeds? I grew up with marrow but cannot find marrow anywhere. I'm told spaghetti marrow us marroa (it's not), and that marrow is just a big old overgrown zucchini (it's not).

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24 Sep 21, Alan (Australia - temperate climate)

FYI. I purchased Mr.Fothergills Marrow seeds( long green bush 2). from a Bunnings store last week. I have used them before with satisfying results.

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14 Jun 21, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)

Goodman's Seeds in Bairnsdale, Victoria sells marrow seeds. They would post you some.

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28 Jun 21, Jane (Australia - tropical climate)

John, Thanks for yr suggestion. I contacted Goodman's but they made no reply. Twenty-years of searching now comes to an end. I'm just not meant to eat find and eat marrow. All the best.

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26 Jun 21, Jane (Australia - tropical climate)

John (Mauger), Thank you so much!! I'll contact them. Best, Jane

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