[skippi]

We planted two plants and they have rapidly covered a large part of the plot. There are plenty of squash of various sizes. Should we pinching off the ends or should we leave well alone

[mumofstig]

Just don't let them set any more as they would not get big enough now.
Let them concentrate on fattening up the ones you already have, tomato feed helps, if you haven't been feeding them yet.

[Quetzal]

What sort of size should I use as a cutoff? My vines have a lot of squash on that are say cricketball size (they're crown prince for the main part). Are they too small to come to anything now, or might they be worth keeping?  Thanks in advance

[mumofstig]

My vines have a lot of squash on that are say cricketball size

If it were up to me, I would leave some on and take a few off each plant to lighten the load, or you may end up with none that are a usable size...cos Crown Prince are sposed to get quite big aren't they

[Quetzal]

thanks.

yes, we've already cut one that was a whopper, and there's at least another whopper and a half whopper still going, i just wasn't sure what to do with the also rans.

[Marston]

We are in our first year on the allotment and have had some fairly good results considering our limited experience.We planted "Hunter" butternuts which we got from the BBC "Dig In".They are doing really well and I have taken out the growing tips but I noticed yesyerday that some of the fruits are developing quite large brown spots on the skins.Can anyone tell me what theses might be?

[mumofstig]

sorry, but they are probably rotting

If they are big enough to eat, cut one to use and have a look under the skin to see what's going on.

If not all you can do is keep an eye on them

[rainbow1]

I noticed yesyerday that some of the fruits are developing quite large brown spots on the skins.Can anyone tell me what theses might be?

Oh Marston, my heart froze when I read your post. Do the spots look like these......


If so, I'm afraid it's not good news. Sorry. ....
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=64004.msg733756#msg733756

[Marston]

If so, I'm afraid it's not good news. Sorry. ....
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=64004.msg733756#msg733756
[/quote]

Yes that's exactly what I have got (well the squash !!).Only apparent after this last lot of heavy rain.Previously I only waered the base of the main plant.

[skippi]

Just want to say thanks for the help - popping off to the allotment soon with my tomato feed and to snip the ends

[Marston]

I noticed yesyerday that some of the fruits are developing quite large brown spots on the skins.Can anyone tell me what theses might be?

Oh Marston, my heart froze when I read your post. Do the spots look like these......


If so, I'm afraid it's not good news. Sorry. ....
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=64004.msg733756#msg733756

Just thought I would update onthis problem.I harvested 15 squash of which 5 had the brown marks.I left them for a while inn the shed.We have since had three of them and I can report that the brown marks on all three were only on the outer skin and had not affected the fruit at all and they tasted delicious.So do not throw them away.