Advanced butternut squash rotting

[stv]

Hello All,

I have been growing a new Italian variety of butternut squash this year, and all seemed well.
I had a few very nicely sized fruits growing happily but on inspection this weekend I tested them and found that they were now soft to the touch (they felt pretty hollow) and in fact one of them had started to wither and wrinkle ready for the compost heap!
Any ideas what i have done wrong or if there is any remedial action i can take to help them?

Thanks, Stv

[gojiberry]

Had you harvested them or are they still attached to the plant. There is a tendency to harvest before they are ready and not harden them in the sun before storing.

Ian

[OllieMartin]

Seems you're not the only one:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ems_39379.html

[Shirley Sherriffs]

I grew pumpkins and butternut squashes this year and all my butternuts rotted on the stem after the grew to about 4". I had 5 pumpkins of which only 1 grew to 6lbs before I cut it. I was really surprised, didnt think our summer was that wet. Whats the secret?

[Two_Sheds]

all my butternuts rotted on the stem after the grew to about 4".

That's likely to be due to non-pollination, if the fruits stay small.

Rotting in a mature fruit (or nearly mature) is more likely to be down to insect damage (around pollination time) and rot getting in.