Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: bobbyt on July 31, 2021, 15:08

Title: Butternut Squash
Post by: bobbyt on July 31, 2021, 15:08
First time growing these, I planted 3 plants and they seem to be hell bent on taking over the plot ! Plenty of flowers on them and a few mini squashes have formed. Can I cut the trailers back to stop them completely taking over, not sure what to do now. Please help!
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: mumofstig on July 31, 2021, 16:57
You can tidy them up a bit, or wind the vines around in a circle, but I wouldn't cut off too many leaves/stems as they 'feed' the forming squashes.
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: jaydig on July 31, 2021, 18:07
I agree with MoS about winding the stems round.  In the past I have even carefully pegged them down at intervals with the metal tent pegs you can buy quite cheaply and have found that they sometimes root at that spot and I suppose it helps to feed the plant. At least it keeps them in order and prevents any high winds from tossing them about.
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: Kleftiwallah on July 31, 2021, 18:55
Our butternut squash plants have reached the top of thgeir poles and now I'm having to susoend them from the 'roof' of the fruit cage by bits of wire, (Sky Hooks)?
Looking forawrd to see what harvest we get.

Cheers,   Tony. ::)
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: bobbyt on August 01, 2021, 11:47
Thanks all, I'll just trim them a little I think, not much room to circle them around unfortunately.