[sunshineband]

I planted several varieties of squash & pumpkins on 7th April. Winter squash, ironbark, jack o' lantern are good sized plants.

Butternuts have only got two proper leaves.

Any idea why please?

Last year mine were pathetic and only had male flowers until end of September, so don't want another poor season if I can help it.

[mumofstig]

same here.........didn't notice the difference last year, but am growing 10 different sorts, so can really see that they are slow

[sunshineband]

I thought it must be me.

Can't plant those tiny little things out...

,....... or should I?

[PennyS]

Mine took ages to germinate.  I had given up and moved them from the nice warm place, and suddenly they all came through.  Don't know if they had been too warm, or whether they were just taking ages.

Other squashes/courgettes etc only took a few days, butternuts took about 3 weeks to germinate 

[digalotty]

is there much difference in taste between the diferent squashes,i have butternut and sweet dumplin

[peapod]

First time Ive grown squash

Ive direct sowed 

[sunshineband]

They do taste different but still obviously squashes.

[digalotty]

thanks sunshineband as im a first time squash grower too

[DD.]

Butternuts are always slow starters. Mine sat there for ages last year doing a little short of not a lot.

Then suddenly they took off, completely covered the 40 sq yds I'd given to 5 plants and also made their way into the sweetcorn. There's not a lot you can do apart from be patient & water if needed.

[Snoop]

Crumbs, you lot are quick off the mark! I haven't even started mine off.

[stompy]

whats best, sowing in pots or direct sowing?

[PennyS]

Butternuts are always slow starters. Mine sat there for ages last year doing a little short of not a lot.

Then suddenly they took off, completely covered the 40 sq yds I'd given to 5 plants and also made their way into the sweetcorn. There's not a lot you can do apart from be patient & water if needed.

Oh help I have a feeling the space I've allocated might not be enough!!   I was just going to plant one metre apart.

[DD.]

They can easily go 2m plus in all directions! You can pinch them out though.

[Salmo]

Butternuts certainly need a higher temperature to germinate and develop than pumpkins and courgettes. Hopefully the plant breeders will select strains that suit our cool climate better.

Are any of the butternuts on offer better than others?

[diggerjoe]

I'm growing butternut 'Barbara' from T&M as in the pic it had a very small seed cavity so more flesh but they are still tiny little plants. I always find it a bit od a dissapointment when you cut into some butternut and pumpkins and find its mainly seed.