Allotments 4 All

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

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.)

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.

Looks like the answer is yes  :)

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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