Butternut squash.

[NatalieCooke]

It was given a small butternut squash plants a while back now. I was told to keep it somewhere warm EG the greenhouse. It's been growing happily in here, leaves looks very heathy. I've added a picture of it for you to all see. The plant is currently growing verticaly up some metal caging. Now I know that not how you would normally grow them but it seems to be working.
My question is what do I do with the damn thing? Does it have flower which I need to pollinate? Should I start cutting off some of the massive leaves?
I have no idea what kind it is either.

[bario1]

Say goodbye to your greenhouse!

[1Bee]

I don't know the answer to your questions, but I'm experiencing waves of envy at your gorgeous squash!

[Jay-ell]

It should produce two types of flowers - females which have a small embryonic squash at the base of the flower amd males which don't.

When both a male and female flower are open you can either hope that a pollinator does the job or take off one male flower, remove the petals and rub it onto the insides of the female flowers (one male does several females)

How big a pot is it in and have you been feeding it? Squash are heavy feeders so will need feeding often.

[NatalieCooke]

Hey Jay.

It's in one of those black flower buckets from Morrisons. I notcied it drinks a hell of a lot of water. I've not started to feed it yet, I was waiting until the first flower came. Should I start feeding it now? I've got general fruit & vegertable feed, will that be ok?

I've had melons growing in the greenhouse before so I know which two flowers to look out for.

Thanks for the reply!

[roitelet]

I have three plants outside that are currently about 6ft long and growing as I watch them also sending out more shoots in all directions. How big is your greenhouse???????

[NatalieCooke]

The greenhouse is 12ftx8ft. I dont have anything on the right hand side of the greenhouse that cant be moved.

[Jay-ell]

I thought I could see a male flower or two lurking in the back of the photo. I'd probably start feeding itt as the compost could be exhausted. What feed do you use on the melons?

[marchogaeth]

All good advice ^^^^^^. If it is only producing male flowers after the initial one or two it is because it is stressed. I think you might struggle with it in the bucket, it is going to need masses of water and tonnes of tomato type feed. You might like to think about limiting the number of fruit by pinching them off once you've got two that are definitely set and growing just so that what you do get are a reasonable size. I limit mine to six maximum and they are in the poly tunnel in the bed. Is there any way you could bury its roots in soil (inside or out) and then grow it into the greenhouse - they are certainly better grown in doors.

[NatalieCooke]

I've just giving the plant a good of drink watering with some vegetable feed mixed in.
I don’t think I'm going to be able to change the pot. It’s all wrapped around the metal work. As suggest I'll limit the amount of fruit it makes. Hopefully that will help.

There’s no flower as of yet but looking closely at the plant there seems to be soon on the way.

[marchogaeth]

If it's only in the flower bucket, what about cutting the pot off or the bottom half of the pot and sinking it in a grow bag type of arrangement? -Doesn't have to be MCP soil and muck would be good - they are like courgettes in that respect and the muck would hold the water. The roots will find their way out and you can really soak the grow bag and then feed as necessary.

I wouldn't worry too much about pulling it off the netting I'm having to persuade mine not to climb the French bean strings all the time!