I have a plant

[PrettyCandles]

• well, two, actually - and I'm not sure what they are. I grew threm from seed saved last summer but forgot to label the seeds.

I think they're of the pumpkin family - very similar to a courgette, but the flowers are different.

My question is, do I need to train them in some way? The main stem of each has lots of little curling tendrils. Are they looking for something to hold on to and climb up? One plant now stretches about 6' across the patio, whereas the other is concertina-ing itself to and fro trying to climb up the non-opening patio door.

If I leave them on the ground, will the fruits be eaten by creatures, or if I try to train it over something, will the fruits be too heavy and fall off?

Any ideas?

[ChippyMinton]

if they are pumpkins you can train them around on the ground in a spiral. Supposed to put straw under the fruits, and leave only 2 or 3 per plant if you want them to grow big. Lots of water too.

[PrettyCandles]

How do you decide which fruits to leave on?

[ChippyMinton]

Don't know really, whichever ones look healthiest & a good shape.