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Squash. How many is too many?

Womble54Womble54 Posts: 348
in Fruit & veg
I have 2 butternut squash plants, growing nicely up a trellis. There are 3 vines per plant and they’re starting to flower and set fruit. They’ve got a bit more space to grow into but will soon be at the top of the trellis.

Ive read a few things about limiting the number of squash per plant, but the advice is pretty variable.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Should I pinch out any new vines, and pinch out the existing vines once they’re a few squash on each? Or let it go till it runs out of space and see how many squash I can get?

Thanks in advance.
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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I would pinch out the tips at three fruit per vine. You need the plant to put energy into the fruit, not more growth.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    I agree with fidgetbones.  We grow squash, letting them trail along the soil in the veg patch, so we don't have this problem.  Squash become quite heavy when they are maturing, your trellis needs to be substantial and strong.  The plants could well break or sag if there are too many heavy squash on them.  Like melons, squash can be supported in nets or tights tied to the trellis. 
  • Womble54Womble54 Posts: 348
    Thank you both. I’ll start pinching out once the squash once the squash start to swell. I’ve seen the underpants sling technique to support the squash when they get big. I’ll give that a go. Hopefully my bamboo trellis will support the weight.


  • gardeninglily1gardeninglily1 Posts: 424
    Hello, I bought honeyboat squash as they are supposed to climb (can be attached to a trellis) . Mine don’t seem to be going anywhere fast. Time is getting on. Will they fruit? Anyone else grown them? Thank you 
  • gardeninglily1gardeninglily1 Posts: 424
    Sorry meant to attach pics 
  • Womble54Womble54 Posts: 348
    Hopefully they’re just biding their time and will take off soon. My butternut squash took a while to get going. I was worried the courgettes were crowding them out, but they’ve put on lots of growth in the last 2 weeks.

    Having said that, I’ve never grown honeyboat before. Just being optimistic.


  • gardeninglily1gardeninglily1 Posts: 424
    Haha thank you Womble - I planted them with manure/compost and keep giving them water but the little blighters aren’t budging much.  :s
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    @Womble54 If you are aiming for 9 fruits per plant, I think your bamboo trellis will need a bit of support!!
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Womble54Womble54 Posts: 348
    Support for the support!  ;)

    Thanks for the advice everyone.
  • gardeninglily1gardeninglily1 Posts: 424
    Oops sorry I seem to have hi jacked your thread Womble. 
    But just thought if you need a strong cheap support can I suggest welded builders mesh? I paid £22 for 3m x 2m. You can see it in my previous pics.  Prob not to everyone’s taste but I quite like the industrial look. 😀
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