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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: shirlton on July 31, 2008, 11:26:07

Title: Butternut Squash
Post by: shirlton on July 31, 2008, 11:26:07
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
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: Barnowl on July 31, 2008, 11:51:35
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.)
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: Tee Gee on July 31, 2008, 12:07:30
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.

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/tgalmanac/Allotment/Squash.jpg)
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: Barnowl on July 31, 2008, 12:36:26
Looks like the answer is yes  :)
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: shirlton on July 31, 2008, 13:46:54
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
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: kt. on July 31, 2008, 14:13:24
 Can the plant take the weight strain of 10 butternut squash  hanging?  Would the weight not pull it down?
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: shirlton on July 31, 2008, 14:57:23
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
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: twinkletoes on July 31, 2008, 15:09:39
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
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: Tee Gee on July 31, 2008, 15:34:01
QuoteCan 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.
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: shirlton on July 31, 2008, 17:26:21
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.
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on July 31, 2008, 22:17:10
I can just imagine the hysterics if I had veg in the bedroom!
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: KathrynH on July 31, 2008, 22:21:12
Doesn't everyone???????!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Butternut Squash
Post by: shirlton on August 01, 2008, 07:42:58
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