[Thamesmeadhammer]

Hello all,

My butternut is growing rather well but a little too well and is spreading. Should I start cutting it back or should I train it ?

I don't want to damage the baby butternuts that are growing now

Thanks

Tony

[ssray]

According to my seed packet, each plant takes an area of approx 1sq mtr.
Ray

[DD.]

Then some!

Butternuts can easily grow 2m in any direction, assuming it's a circular patch, that's over 12 sq m! (Variety dependent of course).

Chopping off is fine, providing that you can see fruit that has set, otherwise you may end up with none, I would try training it if you have the space until you can be certain fruit has set, then pinch the ends out.

[devondave]

I've tried training my with a whip and a chair and even using bad language to it but it still goes in the direction it wants to go hahaha, i've only one butternut squash thank goodness but i've got 5 gherkin plants that are doing the same as the butternut squash, still, I dont really mind its all about learning what to plant and what not to plant and to plant it in the right place next time, oh meant to say the gherkins are like whopping cucumber/marrows, cant find pickling jars big enough so I just use them like cucumbers and very nice they are.

[Hampshire Hog]

Why not give it the chance to climb up a small frame or whatever you can improvise??

Cheers HH

[Yorkie]

If you put small sticks in either side of the trailing stem, it has to go where you tell it to - the end may keep trying to go off in a different direction but just put more sticks in !

[Chiswickian]

lucky you if you have fruit - mine haven't set a thing. Green and healthy looking but not a squash in sight.

[DD.]

Don't worry - they always do this to me!

[Salmo]

Devondave has got it all wrong. Everybody knows that you must talk to plants and stroke them gently to get them to perform.

[Paul Plots]

Devondave has got it all wrong. Everybody knows that you must talk to plants and stroke them gently to get them to perform.

Talking? Stroking?

I show my lot a firm hand and if that doesn't work I grab'em and tie them in place until they get the idea  ....... Up the bean-poles and out of my way.... then I'll say nice things and smile once they are behaving well and have the hang of up, off the ground and into the sun.

It's great discovering the fruit nestled in amongst the beans later in the season. All I normally have to do is empty the occasional can of water near to the start position and leave them to it!! 

[Kagganz]

I've three 'Hunters', one in the garden heading up my decking steps (with loads of babies too) 

One in the front garden (no babies yet)

And one on the garage roof, due to there being no floor space left,  (no babies there either).

xx

[Paul Plots]

Patience is a virtue......... give those Hunters a chance - they'll get there especially once summer comes along (?)  :blink: