[JohnB47]

Hi.

I have Early Butternut and Crown Prince growing. The Crown Prince seem to have realised that producing more fruit is probably not a good idea and have stopped producing flowers.

However one of the Butternuts is still flowering and has one big fruit and four small ones. Should I do something about that - i.e. cut off the growing tips and flowers to let the fruit reach maturity?

Two other Butternuts are still flowering but haven't produced any fruit - my fault, I moved them. Is it too late for them now, even if they produce anything?

Finally, how do I know when to remove the fruit and store them? The Crown Prince look pretty mature to me now but the butternuts look pretty young.

Ta.

[MoreWhisky]

This will be good reading for u dude http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=63782.0

[JohnB47]

Thanks MoreWhisky.

A fair range of opinions there as regards when to pick - I think I'll let them stay on the vine for as long as possible. But there was no mention about when to stop more fruit producing.

Anyone else want to chip in?

[sunshineband]

I would suggest stopping plants producing new fruits from the end of August, round here. I know you are a bit further south than me, but tbh, unless you are planning to eat them as immature squashes like courgettes, they probably won't ripen fully --- unless you can cloche them of course in about a month?

[Trillium]

Realistically, I can't see more new squash ripening in the UK, not with your generally cooler climate. I'd tip pinch all the ends now and nip off any fruit just starting so the rest can ripen better.

They're ripe when you feel they have the right colour and the plant generally starts to die back. I leave mine on as long as I can to finish up but before any frosts are predicted. I wipe mine down with a damp cloth, let dry fully, then store them in my basement storage area on a shelf in a single layer. Air flow is important to avid rotting.
If this doesn't work for you, then peel, quarter and freeze the squash, or clean and cook it and store in lidded containers in the freezer. Do label them carefully so you know what that mess is in a few months. 

[JohnB47]

Thanks folks. Lots of useful info.

I think I'll do as Trillium says - pinch and nip.

Cheers all