Spaghetti Squash Growing Stages. Once a spaghetti squash or vegetable spaghetti germinates from a seed, it will go into several growing stages until they mature and produce squashes.
Spaghetti squash produces medium-size, oblong, and yellow squash. There are many varieties of squash and this plant is also one of the popular varieties. That is why some people start growing spaghetti squash in their gardens. But how does spaghetti squash grow?
Spaghetti Squash Growing Stages
Stage 1. Seed
The spaghetti squash is grown from seeds. The seeds of spaghetti squash are small and flat, one edge is rounder and the other edge is pointed, flat, and white to brown in color.
The spaghetti squash can only be grown from seed and it cannot be propagated through cuttings, grafting, or other methods. The life cycle of spaghetti squash starts from the seed and without it, the plant will not grow.
Sowing the seeds in about ½ to 1 inch deep is good to make the seeds germinate faster. Also, a spacing of 12-18 inches is needed because this plant can grow wider.
Stage 2. Germination
With the right condition, the spaghetti squash seeds will germinate. It will take about 3 to 10 days for seeds to germinate. Commonly small seeds just like spaghetti squash seeds grow roots faster compared to plants with big seeds.
The spaghetti squash seeds need water in order to germinate. When the soil is too dry the seeds will not sprout. During the germination, a tiny root grows and tiny leaves emerge from the seeds.
When the spaghetti squash seeds are planted in the soil, you will see that something is coming out from the soil. After a few days, a small spaghetti squash plant will appear on the soil.
Stage 3. Seedling
A few days after the spaghetti squash seeds have been germinated, they will become seedlings. It will grow a thin stem, a few leaves, and more soft and short roots. During this time it will continue to increase in length.
The spaghetti squash seedlings need water and sunlight for them to grow well and increase in size. If the seedlings are planted in a seedling tray, they need to be transplanted.
When the seedlings have enough size and enough age (usually 10 to 15 days old or more) they can be transplanted into the garden. The spaghetti squash will grow longer vines after that.
Stage 4. Vegetative Growth
After a few weeks of growing the spaghetti squash plant will become longer and bigger. It will have many roots, and many leaves, the main stem is thicker and will grow longer vines. During this stage, spaghetti squash plants need more water, nutrients, and sunlight.
Those essential things will help the plants grow better, make them more mature, and help them prepare to grow flowers and fruits sooner. The spaghetti squash plants will become more mature as time passes.
Care for the plant well to prevent problems like curling leaves, and yellowing leaves, and protect it from pests and diseases that may attack the plant.
Spaghetti squash can grow on the soil but growing them on a trellis is also a good idea. Putting a trellis will help the plants grow better and make the fruits safer.
Letting the spaghetti squash grow on the soil is also good but growing them on a trellis can prevent diseases that may attack the fruits.
Stage 5. Flowering And Pollination
After a few weeks of growing spaghetti squash plants, they will start flowering. The flowers can appear on the plant as early as 30-40 days.
Usually, male spaghetti squash flowers appear first on the plant and the female flowers grow the next. There are also chances that the flowers may take a longer time to come. There will be more male flowers than female ones.
The male flower of spaghetti squash is just a flower while the female flower has a swollen part underneath the petals. Pollination is needed in order for the fruits to be produced.
Usually, spaghetti squash relies its pollination on the bees. But you can also do hand pollination to increase pollinated flowers on the spaghetti squash plant.
By using a small, dry brush you can move that pollen into several female flowers or by getting a male flower and brushing them into several flowers. When pollination is successful fruits will grow on the plant.
Stage 6. Fruiting
When pollination is successful, spaghetti squash plants will start growing fruits. It will take the plant around 80 to 100 days to grow and harvest squashes from seed.
The squashes are small in the early days but they slowly grow bigger and bigger until they mature. When the fruits have enough size and become golden yellow or darkish yellow the squashes are ready to harvest.
The spaghetti squashes will also grow seeds inside which can be used again to grow new plants. There are times that some young spaghetti squashes are dropping. One reason why they drop is due to poor pollination.
When only a few flowers are pollinated, only a few squash fruits will grow and mature. So if you want more spaghetti squash growing on the plant, increase the pollinated flowers by doing hand pollination.
Also, keep the plants healthy by keeping pests and diseases in control.
The Life Cycle Of Spaghetti Squash: Spaghetti Squash Growing Stages
The spaghetti squash life cycle is a series of stages where the plant grows from seed, becomes a seedling, grows bigger and longer, grows flowers, and eventually grows squashes.
The stages of growth of the spaghetti squash plant are going to be smoother when the plant receives enough sunlight for at least 6 hours, the right amount of water 1-1.5 inches of water per week, enough nutrients, and no pests and diseases attacking the plant.
