Crop type: Marrows
Cucurbita pepo ‘Bush Baby’
Common name: Marrow ‘Bush Baby’
Crop slug: marrow
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Bush Baby’ is a compact marrow cultivar that produces edible yellow flowers in summer followed by small striped fruits with slight lengthwise ribbing. The baby marrows are tender, have excellent flavour and can be harvested from June through October.
Its controlled clump-forming habit is especially useful in large containers and small gardens, while the flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects. The current RHS profile displays both Award of Garden Merit and Plants for Pollinators recognition.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.5–1 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
The plant is compact for a marrow but still spreads through broad leaves. Give it a large container or a prepared ground station with enough clear space for foliage, flowers and accessible fruits.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Loam or sand
- Moisture
- Well-drained
- Soil pH
- Acid or neutral
Plant into rich fertile soil with good drainage. Incorporate garden compost or well-rotted manure before planting and maintain steady moisture once flowers and fruits develop. Container compost must not be allowed to dry out.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H2 — tolerant of low temperatures but not surviving prolonged freezing
A warm sheltered position in full sun encourages flowering, pollination and rapid fruit growth. The cultivar is tender, so harden plants off carefully and wait until frost danger has passed before moving them outdoors permanently.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
Green palmately lobed foliage forms a neat clump. Large golden-yellow star-shaped edible flowers appear in summer and attract pollinating insects. These are followed by compact green baby marrows marked with pale stripes and shallow ribs, providing fruit interest through summer and autumn.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Cucurbita is a small genus of climbing or trailing annual plants native to Central and South America. Its cultivated species include marrows, squashes, pumpkins and courgettes, with prickly palmately lobed foliage and separate golden-yellow flowers.
Safety
Do not eat any fruit that tastes bitter or feed it to pets, since bitterness can indicate harmful cucurbitacins. Wear gloves and protective clothing if the finely prickly foliage irritates the skin.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in rich fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Sow indoors in mid- to late April, placing individual seeds on their side about 1.5cm deep. Keep seedlings warm and bright, then harden them off before planting into their final outdoor position around June after frost.
Use a container at least 45cm wide or a well-enriched ground station. Water generously at soil level and feed container plants every 10–14 days with a high-potassium liquid feed after fruits begin to swell. Pick the striped, slightly ribbed fruits while young and tender from June to October for the cultivar's best texture and flavour.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Sow into individual pots to avoid disturbing the roots when planting out.
Suggested locations
- Large patio container
- Small sunny vegetable plot
- Raised bed
- Wildlife-friendly productive garden
Pruning
No routine pruning is required. Remove only damaged or mildew-affected leaves to improve airflow and expose developing fruit.
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and snails. Protect seedlings, flowers and young fruits, particularly during damp weather.
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey mould and powdery mildew. Maintain airflow around the compact plant, water at soil level and remove decaying material promptly.