Butternut Squash

[kt.]

Just wondering how many fruit are you supposed to get from one plant?   I have been told 10 and 4-5 ::)

[kt.]

[ceres]

I'd say 5 to 7 from mine.

[hopalong]

Ignorant question. Do you need to pinch out to restrict the number of fruits, or just let it go wild? Mine is rampaging all over the place.

[ceres]

I think some people pinch out the tip of the main shoot to encourage the side shoots which bear the fruit.  Never done it myself but I doubt it will do any harm if you do.   

[Suzanne]

I haven't ever restricted mine and the amount of fruit appears to depend more on the weather. I only had three on one plant last year all on different arms.

This year most of the flowers are setting so hoping for a bigger crop. Taken today.

[Trevor_D]

Yes, it varies from year to year. Last year was very poor, but two years ago - when we had a hot, dry summer & early autumn - we were inundated with them. Same number of plants!

And I've never pinched off any shoots. (Too many other jobs to do!)