Hi,
Can anyone advise me why last year all my butternut squash plants produced loads of green leaves but very little
fruit? only some small ones that diddnt mature.
Thankyou
Butternuts need a long season, some variates longer than others, other winter squash are easier to grow.
Also, they like a wet spring but a hot summer, but we had a hot dry spring followed by a rather mixed summer.
TOo much fertiliser is generally not a problem with squash so it's unlikely to be that, butternut is a rather marginal plant outdoors in this country, they don't like any hint of cold when they get planted out and they need a late warm spell to ripen up.... I generally find you're better off with some of the more northern suash... butternuts came over with American servicemen from the southern states, so try ones from further north like the buttercups (BOn-Bon is a good one, hybrid vigour and it tastes good too) or Festival....
Hi, may I ask what area you are in, when did you start them off and when did you transpant them into the garden and last what variety of butternut ..
I can better advise you if I know this info.
XX Jeannine
Jeannines's questions are good ones - knowing where, when and what would be really useful.
But... my BNS were not too happy last year either. Normally they romp away and produce enough good quality fruit to keep us supplied right through to March. I grow a range of bush and trailer types.
Results last season were disappointing - slow to get growing so slow producing fruit and then little time for ripening.
In my case it was due mostly to colder days and less sunshine through parts of the growing season.
the other year we grew hunter butternuts and all were started in pots in april
i set 3 situations off one was transplanted on the manure pile one was in the ground on its own and one had grass cuttings in the bottome
from the manure pile we got about 4 med squashes from the plant with nothing we got 7 med
and from the one with grass cuttings we got 14 good squashes one was 1 1/2 kg
we planted them out about may 11th
I am a fan of Tromba d Albenga. They are same squash family. Taste excellent a lot f flesh since seeds up one end keep well I still have one left. They are rather more tolerant of our uk weather conditions. I have tried several varieties of butternut squash and last year got hardly any true butternuts but several superb Trombas.
Thanks for the advice..
Iam in North somerset. TBH I cant really remember when I planted them out. ??? I know they were quite big in their pots so i must have sown them quite early on my kitchen window sill.
Iam quite tempted to grow some other types of squash as recommended by some of you ;D
Ok, Somerset is good.
Big plants on your windowsill sown early might be the answer to your problem
If you sow too early and they are wanting to take off, when you plant them out they go into a sulk and often are slow to get going, so I think they ran out of time.
Don't sow too early, then pot them on after they germinate into 3 inch pots.Don't leave them long in those pots, maybe three weeks tops, then get them out into the garden, in very well manured soil.
I sometimes sow very early if growing ones that have a late maturity date but I pot them on two or three times to keep them happy and they end up in 2 gallon pots before they go out.
You don't have to do that with butternuts. Pick one that is early maturing,check out Harrier, Hunter , Barbara(green striped one) and Avalon., keep away from Waltham Butternut as it takes too long and is iffy in the UK.
Keep an eye on the forum for growers on your area that are sowing, but first two weeks of May is about right, then have them in the garden for no later than mid June. With protection you may be able to knock two weeks of this timing
Good luck this year.
XX Jeannine
There are lots of other squash but for earliest try an acorn variety
I have become a fan of Marina di Chioggia, very productive, no failures last year, keep well - am finishing the last one tonight.
The only problem is their huge size, but the flesh is uniformly firm and sweet and delicious if you can manage to eat them in time once sliced into. I like butternuts, but I also have had failures and disappointments, and will not even try any more.
Love Marina di Chiogga - my only problem with it is trying to cut it after been in store. Have to ask for assistance.
Quote from: pumpkinlover on March 10, 2012, 19:02:00
Love Marina di Chiogga - my only problem with it is trying to cut it after been in store. Have to ask for assistance.
(http://www.tiptopglobe.com/skin/smile/s11973.gif) (http://www.tiptopglobe.com/free-smiles-smileys-emoticons-blog-forum-email)
Pneumatic drill!! ;D
;D ;D ;D
Big knife hit with a heavy hammer on a wooden board works for me. Have just eaten it steamed briefly then roasted with butter and a little sugar and salt....well worth the effort.