Spaghetti squash is a type of winter squash that is produced from a cultivar group within Cucurbita pepo.
The fruit looks very much like small pumpkins: they are oblong with bumps all over them.
They can grow up to 10 pounds in weight but average about 2-3 lbs per fruit.
It has an outer yellow skin and orange flesh inside that has an appearance similar to angel hair pasta when cooked.
The name comes from the fact that once cooked its flesh separates into noodle-like strands.
| Description | When unharvested, these plants produce vines that cover the ground quickly and prevent light from reaching other plants nearby |
| Type of plant | Squash plants whose fruit looks like yellow crooknecks and has an oblong shape |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Soil requirements | Rich, loose soil with plenty of organic matter |
| Sun exposure | Full sun of at least 6 hours per day |
| Planting | Sow the seeds directly in the garden |
| Watering | Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet |
| Fertilizing | high-nitrogen fertilizer |
| Pests and diseases | Keep an eye out for any problems and treat them right away |
| Harvesting | Harvest the squash when they’re 6-8 inches long and the skin is hard |
Now that we know a bit about Spaghetti Squash, let’s take a closer look at the growing stages. Like most vegetables, this particular Squash variety grows through 5 main stages:
Germination, seedling stage, vegetative stage, reproductive stage, and harvest stage.
Stage 1: Spaghettic Squash Germination
Germination is the process of the seed sprouting and growing a root system. This usually takes between 2-10 days, depending on the temperature and humidity levels.
The germination stage is the beginning of a plant’s life cycle where the seed begins to grow into a new plant. For spaghetti squash, this process takes about seven to fourteen days.
The most important part of germination is ensuring that the seed has enough water and oxygen. If the conditions are not right, the seed will not germinate.
There are a few things you can do to help ensure successful germination:
- Make sure the soil is moist but not wet
- Place the seeds in direct sunlight
- Plant the seeds at least 1″ deep in the soil
Once the seeds have germinated, they will need plenty of water and sunlight. You can help by watering them regularly and moving them to a sunny area. It usually takes about three weeks for the shoots to fully develop into spaghetti squash plants.
Stage 2: Seedling of Spaghetti Squash
The seedling stage is when the plant grows its first set of true leaves. These leaves are different from the embryonic leaves that appeared during germination. During this stage, the plant will also start to grow taller.
The spaghetti squash seedling stage lasts for about four weeks. During this time, the seedlings will grow larger and their leaves will become more robust.
It is important to keep the soil moist during this stage, but not wet, as the seedlings need good drainage. Fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks.
The spaghetti squash seedling stage is important for the development of the plants, so be sure to provide them with good care during this time.
Fertilize them regularly, water them properly, and give them plenty of space to grow. The end result will be healthy plants that produce delicious spaghetti squash fruits.
Stage 3: Vegetative Stage of Spaghetti Squash
The vegetative stage is when the plant really starts to take off and begin growing new leaves, stems, and roots at an accelerated rate. This stage can last anywhere from 2-4 months.
During this time, the plant will continue to grow in size until it reaches its optimal height.
It is during this stage that Spaghetti Squash will produce male flowers (which are identified by their bushy appearance) or female flowers (long thin shapes). The bloom of these flowers will release pollen or eggs which will travel through wind or insects for pollination.
Once fertilized, the flower dies off and the fruit begins developing with seeds. These fruits need about 100 days to reach full growth.
Stage 4: Reproductive Stage of Spaghetti Squash
The fourth stage is the reproductive stage. This is when Spaghetti Squash will form male or female fruits, depending on fertilization during the vegetative stage.
The male fruit is characterized by its egg-shaped appearance with a hard stem at the end of it. The female fruit looks similar but has a very small squash growing from where the stem meets the fruit itself.
When these are ready, they will turn yellow with streaks of orange and red appearing across them, very much like pumpkins or gourds that are used for Fall décor.
Stage 5: Harvesting of Squash
So spaghetti squash is harvested between 150 and 250 days after planting. This article will cover the steps involved in harvesting spaghettis squashes as well as some interesting facts about this fruit/vegetable that you might find fascinating.
The first step in harvesting spaghetti squash is, as the name suggests, to harvest it. To do so, pick a spanner from the garden and put it on a flat surface.
Run your fingers down its sides to check for any soft spots or injuries/cuts on the skin.
If there are none, carefully cut open one side of the fruit ¾ of an inch deep using a sharp knife or a saw. Be careful not to damage the seeds inside by running your blade over them too many times; you only need to make one clean cut.
Once the fruit is open, use your fingers or a fork to loosen the flesh and seeds from the skin. You can then either discard the skin or eat it (it’s edible).
Next, cut the spaghetti squash in half by slicing it lengthwise. Then use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard them. Now you’re ready to cook it.
Watering Spaghetti Squash Seeds
When watering plants during their germination stage, it is important to keep the soil moist but not soaked. Water your seed starting tray or pots with about 1/4 of an inch of water every day until your spaghetti squash seeds have germinated.
Hint: If you are wondering why this process takes so long, it’s because spaghetti squashes are vining plants and require a large number of nutrients to generate leaves and vines.
Seeds will also only germinate in warm climates, so if you live in a cool climate, it could potentially take up to 3 weeks for the first signs of their shoots. Make sure to check back on them every now and then to make sure they aren’t drying out completely.
Care of Spaghetti Squash Seeds
Once your spaghetti squash seeds have germinated, they will start to grow their first leaves. These are what are called the “shoots” or “seedling leaves.”
The shoots are dark green in color and can be up to 1 inch long. If you notice that the leg of one shoot is much longer than its neighbor, gently use scissors to cut off the longer leg so it doesn’t take all the energy from its neighboring plant.
After every few days, make sure to check up on your seedlings for signs of insect infestation or disease.
How to grow Spaghetti Squash successfully
There are a few things you can do to ensure your Spaghetti Squash crop is successful.
First, choose a planting site that receives full sun exposure. Spaghetti Squash plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to produce optimum yields.
Second, make sure the soil is rich and fertile. Spaghetti Squash plants grow best in nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Add plenty of compost or organic matter to the soil before planting to help improve its fertility and drainage.
Third, wait until the soil has warmed up to at least 60 degrees F before planting your Spaghetti Squash seeds. Seeds will not germinate below this temperature.
Fourth, plant your seeds 1 to 2 inches deep and space them about 6 inches apart. Thin the seedlings to 2 or 3 plants per hill when they are about 3 inches tall.
Keep the plants well-watered and mulched throughout the growing season. Spaghetti Squash plants need plenty of water to produce big, healthy fruits. Mulching will help conserve moisture in the soil and also reduce weed growth.
Once your spaghetti squash plants have started to bear fruit, you will need to make sure that these fruits continue to get pollinated.
This can be done by using a paintbrush and gently brushing the flowers of other nearby plants. You should also do this if you find yourself growing several different kinds of squash together in the same garden (like zucchini).
Conclusion
Spaghetti squash is a type of winter squash that is gaining in popularity due to its unique stringy texture that resembles spaghetti noodles.
To grow your own spaghetti squash plants, you will need to start with fresh seeds.
Spaghetti squash seeds can be found inside the fruit near the stem. The seeds need to be soaked in water for 24 hours before planting and should be planted at least 12 inches apart from each other.
Spaghetti squash plants require a lot of nutrients to grow big and healthy vines, so make sure you give them plenty of water and fertilizer. The fruits will be ready to harvest in about 3-4 months.