Topic: Butternut Squash

[shirlton]

Can Butternut Squashes be grown over a 6ft arch. I really have to start usin the space above if I'm going to grow anymore stuff

[Barnowl]

One for Jeannine I think.

(I know Jack be Little and  Uchiki Kuri can be trained like climbers, in fact I'm trying it,  but they're quite a bit smaller than a butternut.)

[Tee Gee]

These are mine, they have reached the top of the canes and are progressing along the rafters.

I have now stopped them and I am cutting out some secondary shoots to encourage flowering & fruit.

[Barnowl]

Looks like the answer is yes  :)

[shirlton]

Right that does it. Too late for this year but next year am gonna use the 3 arches I got cheap in the sale at Wilkies last year and put them up the path of the allotment. Think they will look rather good. Thanks TeeGee

[kt.]

 Can the plant take the weight strain of 10 butternut squash  hanging?  Would the weight not pull it down?

[shirlton]

I only let mine have 4 babbies last year so that they would ripen. I think someone on here suggested that. I did eat some of the small ones before they were cured Theu were still nice

[twinkletoes]

Cured?   What's that about then?  First year successfully (so far) growing these - I think I need to know a bit more..........please  ;D
twinkletoes

[Tee Gee]

Can the plant take the weight strain

As with all vine grown plants/fruit e.g. squash, melons, tomatoes etc I tie in to the framework just above the fruit/truss.

This takes the strain off the plant, and as you rightly suggested,  the weight would otherwise pull the whole plant down to the floor.

[shirlton]

I think cured means letting the skin toughen up. Last year some of mine were still a bit greenish so I put them on the bedroom windowsill in the sun and ate them when I wanted during the winter.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I can just imagine the hysterics if I had veg in the bedroom!

[KathrynH]

Doesn't everyone???????!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[shirlton]

I keep them in the spare room Robert cos it's sunny. Only if I run out of room on the windowsill do I then have them our bedroom. Actually they look rather attractive if you display the properly.pmsl