General information and discussion about cultivating melons, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and gourds.
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January 24, 2014 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Merced, CA
Posts: 832
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Trombocino Squash Substitute
Hi,
I've grown Trombocino Rampacante Zucchinetti (or something like that), for the past couple of years and just loved it. I'd like to grow it again but with reduced yard space and the prospects of water rationing, I need to find a different squash that's similar in taste and texture but not quite so "rampant." I'm not all that familiar with the various types of squash, but I'd describe the trombocino as sort of halfway between a winter and summer squash with sort of a nutty taste, fine textured and firm flesh (but not as hard as winter squash) and few seeds. It's also a great keeper and can be used as a summer or winter squash. Ideally, I'll like something that would fit in about a 3 x 3 space. Yield doesn't need to be all that great. Any ideas on what variety I might try? Thanks! Anne |
January 24, 2014 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: ny
Posts: 1,219
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Hi Anne, this year I'm going to try and grow Tatume. I know nothing about it except that it can be used both as a summer and winter squash. I also have a limited area to garden so crossing my fingers it won't get too crazy on me!
Last edited by luigiwu; January 24, 2014 at 09:01 PM. |
January 24, 2014 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Durhamville,NY
Posts: 2,706
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It's the same species as butternut so I believe one of the bush butternuts would work. The main difference between winter and summer squash is when it's picked. Summer squash has been breed to be better for it's specialty, but I have peeled it when it go to old to cook like summer squash and used it. Depending on how old it was, its texture was in between summer and winter squash.
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January 25, 2014 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California Central Valley
Posts: 2,540
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You could also try one of the C. moschata summer-squash hybrids from Kitazawa. I grew Teot Bat Put this year (I was looking for Early Bulam, but the nursery where I got the seeds had only the former.)
http://www.kitazawaseed.com/seeds_summer_squash.html It was delicious and not rampant -- but I didn't give it much room. I grew Tromboncino at another garden and it was a monster! A week before frost hit, it had probably 10 little squashes on it! |
January 25, 2014 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 4,965
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I've never trialed Trombocino. But, from what I've read, many people trellis it. So, it should easily fit in a 3x3 space that way.
Gary |
January 25, 2014 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Pineland
Posts: 126
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I've trellised it, takes to it like a fish to water.
Pappi |
January 25, 2014 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California Central Valley
Posts: 2,540
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My Tromboncino was on a tuteur (2x2), but it stretched over to the fence a couple feet in one direction and the bean trellises a couple feet in the other direction. I could have paid more attention to it and cut off the wandering vines (squash leaves are edible, I've read), or moved them back, but I let it go. It's an easy squash to grow vertically because the fruits don't need to be supported. I did put plastic pots underneath some long ones so that they wouldn't sit on the ground, though, and I occasionally freed developing fruits from the tangle so they could stretch out.
To use its rampant nature as an advantage, use it for shade. I've seen it growing in another garden on a large arbor (with table and chairs underneath), where it sheltered the patio from the sun and hung down through the openings in the overhead trellis. |
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