Butternut woe

[squashman]

Hi, just found this great forum.

I have a query regarding butternut squash. I am by no means an accomplished gardener and the growing of these veg was little more than an experiment but I found myself getting very into it (for want of a better expression).

I germinated the seeds back in March, grew them in pots till they were about 8 inches high then planted outside in about mid-April. Since then the plants have grown well, now covering an area of about a metre square each, I have kept them well watered and well fed.

The trouble is there doesn't seem to be any fruit, they are only getting flowers now and there are lots of them, am I right in thinking the fruits grow from the flowers? and is it too late for them to be developing. I feel as though I should pick off most of the flowers and leave the strongest looking ones but I'm not sure.

Any ideas?

[Demeter]

The fruit do grow from the flowers. Don't pick any flowers off until you know that there are some fruit growing. The less flowers there are the less chance the plant has got to set fruit! When some fruit has set, then is the time to think about picking any remaining flowers off.

Having said all that, I would be surprised if you have enough summer left now to get some fruit set and developed to the point where you can eat it. Butternut squash like hot summers and we haven't had one! out of half a dozen plants we've had a grand total of 1 squash and that's no bigger than a double fist...

Better luck next year?

I didn't know you needed hot summers until too late - next year I'll take a chance on butternuts again as I really do like them, hoping for the glorious summer we're owed! - but will also go for some other squashes that are more suited to our climate.

PS welcome to the vine!

[squashysu]

hi squashman

welcome to the vine, its great here I did exactly the same as you and only grew 3 plants, well i did have 3 fruits, but due to the rubbish weather they rotted, as well as a dose of powdery mildrew to boot

So no squash for squashysu either , oh well i will try again next year as well.

[Comfreyfan]

Welcome squashman.

This was my first year growing squash - I grew far too many but only planted out 4. 2 butternut and 2 turks turban. I despaired of getting any fruit. They would set and then rot when we had the next week of rain. About 3 weeks ago the turban started swelling and now theyr'e growing away and just this week 2 butternut have set.

I don't know what part of the country you're in, but I hope here in Devon they'll have a chance to grow to a decent size. On another thread I read that you can leave them on the plants to ripen, even when the stems are starting to wither, right up until the first frost.

[lynda66]

i thought mine weren't growing either, but in the last week or so, my 2 types of squash, pumpkins courgettes have all started getting loads of flowers, i have winter butternuts, so am not giving up hope yet, the small patty pan squash are just starting to swell, courgettes there have been 3 so far and a few more on the way, they all seem to swell pretty quickly once they get started, so i wouldn't give up yet, i have removed some of the male flowers though, in the hope that i might get a few more female ones ..... all the plants i have said on the packets will grow till the first frosts, and we don't tend to get frosts here till after xmas, so by that it seems they could have another 2-3 months of growth ...... especially as all the plants have suddenly started growing like mad too.

[Demeter]

all the plants i have said on the packets will grow till the first frosts, and we don't tend to get frosts here till after xmas, so by that it seems they could have another 2-3 months of growth ...... especially as all the plants have suddenly started growing like mad too.

They might survive until first frost - but they won't grow much after the next few weeks cos the days will be too short.
If we have a nice spell till the end of October you'll get something though

[squashman]

Thanks, maybe I'll give it a while, even if a get a fruit or two that's a bit on the small side but tasty then it'll be worthwhile.

I'm in Scotland by the way, our summers usually last about 6-8 days so you have to be quick

[jackie j]

My butternut squash are developing nicely I planted three plants and its a bit like the triffids, I pinched out some of the tips. I have one squash that is nearly ready to pick and lots of smaller ones that I am keeping an eye on so I think I will have quite a few.

[SlugLobber]

It isn't the year for squash, is it? I have a grand total of ONE swelling, from four plants. The others all rotting after setting fruit. I swear, if those slimy little buggers get my precious squash, I nuke the bloody lot!

[Two_Sheds]

try growing a cool-climate variety, eg Hawk, Harrier.
and pray for a warmer summer next year