Do winter squash need thinning out?

[ourarka]

My first foray in to winter squash this year, in my old, exhausted asparagus patch. Suffice to say they are enjoying themselves! Under this lot are butternut and winter festival, and there must be 50+ fruits at varying stages (embryonic through to almost volleyball size). My question is, do the fruit need thinning out to allow efforts to focus on the bigger ones, or are they quite happy ripening as many as they want?

[Thelma Sanders]

I just leave them to get on with it.....................

[Noosner]

In my experience, the plant makes its own decisions on that front (as cucumber plants and apple trees do) and jettisons some of its fruits and ripens others. But I am willing to stand corrected if someone more knowledgeable turns up!

[Two_Sheds]

I don't know if it makes any difference at all, but for the last month of growth (ie now), I snip off the plant after the last good-size fruit

[ourarka]

Thanks guys - I've been having to 'curtail' the plant for the past few weeks anyway, or it would have been off down the paths and taking over the whole garden!!