butternut .....Avalon F1 hybrid

[areia]

i will quote packet from thompson and morgan " Early ripening, small sized fruits"
Ummmm should I have picked these earlier then as I thought they were ment to be picked when leaves die of or before first frost

[Kristen]

Interesting question I wonder if they will continue to grow if left on the plant? or keep better (or worse? ) if left on?

[bario1]

I'm leaving my squash on the plants till the plants die back... isn't that the general consensus? They can't 'over-ripen' can they?

[Kristen]

"Early ripening" could mean that you can choose to harvest & cook early in the season, or just that they will actually ripen in a short British Summer / Up North ?? I am not thinking that they will over ripen, the plant will shut-up-shop early if it thinks its job is done, and if frost threatens they need to come in (and be "cured" if you are going to store them/some)

[areia]

Im in the far south along the coast of kent, frosts are not as common as up north,,,, Most id say are pretty ripe but the leaves havent died back yet and im not kidding the smallest is 12in long the rest are mashoosive im so used to shop ones these are becoming pumkpin sizes,,,Just found it funny thats it says small fruits ,,,,I hate to think what they think is big then

[Artychoke]

Im in the far south along the coast of kent, frosts are not as common as up north,,,, Most id say are pretty ripe but the leaves havent died back yet and im not kidding the smallest is 12in long the rest are mashoosive im so used to shop ones these are becoming pumkpin sizes,,,Just found it funny thats it says small fruits ,,,,I hate to think what they think is big then

They are big! I have grown Hunter F1 and the fruits are small, though they were a bit neglected in late May/early June
I may try a different variety next year.


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[rhonsal]

I'm just so jealous - I grew butter bush in pots and have 2 fruits that have set, although the are swelling they are still green and im keeping everything crossed that they ripen before the frosts!

[bearded bloke]

I think you are nearly spot on with your timing Areia just a little longer to go now ........

Leave fruits until early Sept to mature. Fruits are mature when rind is hard and stems start to wither. Cure Around 68F for 14 days.

Taken from ... http://www.amazon.co.uk/SQUASH-BUTTE.../dp/B00A5NA1LK


When the stems start to wither (shrink back) cut the fruit as close to the main stem as possible, this will help with the longevity of storage.