Summer squash query

[bionda75]

Can anyone help please. The summer squash (white patty panvariety) I have growing on the allotment is a lovely bushy and lush plant with lots of male flowers but not a sign of a single female flower and fruit. The plant I have in a pot at home is not as lush but has produced about 4 fruits and there are at least another 5 on the plant. How can I get the plant on the allotment to produce fruit? I have nipped off all the male flowers in attempt to kick start the female flower production.

Many thanks

P.S I won't be growing it again next year as although the fruit are beautifully shaped they don't have much taste..

[vegnut]

I would personally just let nature take it's course. I'm sure that the females will appear when they are ready. It's possible that they are like most flowers, that is, if put under a little stress they feel the need to fertilise and set seed to survive. As your plant is bushy and lush it may take a bit longer for the motherly instinct to kick in.
I do prefer the butternut squashes myself
Regards
Dave

[Flummery]

I would think that if you nip off all the male flowers and the female come later (which they usually do) you might have problems - poor languishing lasses and no lads to gladden their eyes (or any other bits!). Leave a few on and let nature get on with it. I don't know why some fruit earlier but if it's a healthy plant you'll get some in the end.

[bionda75]

Thanks I'll just have to tell my OH to be patient (as he's looking after the allotment at the moment) and that is not a competition on who gets the most squashes...

[smallblueplanet]

We grow patty pans each year (striped custard is good) - pick them small or let them get to about 5 or 6 inches across (and they'll store for a few months). The bigger ones taste quite nutty (peeled).

This year is a bit exceptional try them again they're worth it. But they do like a slightly longer warmer growing season than courgettes (or so I've found). Ours although planted a bit late this year haven't started fruiting and we've only had one courgette!