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Winter squash such as Butternut, Acorn, Hubbard, and other types are mature when the skin (rind) are hard and cannot be punctured by thumbnails. The mature fruit has a dull and dry skin compared to shiny, smooth skin of immature fruits. Remove stem completely from Hubbard types and if desired leave only 1-inch long stump on the fruit. Stems longer than 1-inch tend to puncture adjacent fruits when in transit or storage. Butternut, Hubbard and other squash types do not need be cured as the benefits are less compared to pumpkins, while curing is very detrimental in Acorn types as it leads to decline in quality. Acorn types have the shortest storage time of 5-8 weeks at 50°F and relative humidity of 50-75 percent.
GrannieAnnie...I was wondering how long is your growing season..when do you get to plant your squashes at earliest?
Tomorrow night a neighbor I paint with is coming and we're arranging a still life of squash so I'm debating which of my Hollywood beauties are worthy of a portrait ;D
Quote from: GrannieAnnie on September 03, 2010, 13:20:49Tomorrow night a neighbor I paint with is coming and we're arranging a still life of squash so I'm debating which of my Hollywood beauties are worthy of a portrait ;DSounds like a lovely way to spend an evening - in the company of Hollywood beauties ;) :D ;D
have been away from the lottie for about 3 weeks (holidays and helping son to move house). I was surprised to see how big the squash (Hunter) have grown. How will I know when they are ripe please?
Quote from: gwynnethmary on September 07, 2010, 13:38:32have been away from the lottie for about 3 weeks (holidays and helping son to move house). I was surprised to see how big the squash (Hunter) have grown. How will I know when they are ripe please?The skin wioll be an even tan colour with no thin green stripes at the stem end.... it will ripen off the plant but stores better if ripened in situ....chrisc
grawrc - the blue hubbard looks lovely, I'm trying to make a personal list of nice small squash, and that one looks like a good contender! I've grown Blue Ballet and Blue Kuri this year, both of which are pretty small and the vines don't seem to want to take over the planet. I guess the proof will be in the eating :)
all of my butternuts got to approx 6" long and then the next time i went up the lottie, they had disappeared, must have shrivelled or rotted, not been a wonderful squash year for me in hertfordshire, have had a few successes, but i am not counting my chickens until they have been cut and cured