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Butternut squash only producing male flowers

IgrowfromseedIgrowfromseed Posts: 284
edited August 2021 in Problem solving
My squash is only producing one type of flower, I presume male. Adjacent courgettes are bountiful. Is it a problem with the seed or something else. They have been in flower for 6 weeks.

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    When did you start them off and plant them out … you ought to have some good fruits on there by now. 🤔 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • IgrowfromseedIgrowfromseed Posts: 284
    Hi started off same time as courgettes end of March and planted out in June about 3 weeks later than courgettes. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Hmm 🤔 
    Similar to ours … we’re growing Uchiki kuri and Honeybear … and all the plants have plenty of fat fruits ripening. 
    I think it’s a bit late in the season for you to get fruits to swell and ripen now, even if you get female flowers today … unless we have an exceptionally extended Indian Summer. 

    Do you only have the one plant? I usually start 6 of each variety, then give three away and plant three. Then even if we get a dud we should have a chance of two good plants. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • IgrowfromseedIgrowfromseed Posts: 284
    Hi thanks for your feedback. There are 3 plants in the picture and the runners grow around a foot a day. Was thinking about contacting the supplier if folks thought there was something wrong with the seed? 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2021
    What’s the variety?

    Are they in a sunny spot?

    Sometimes lower temperatures delay female flowers. What’s the weather and temperature  been like where you are? 

    Whats the soil like … lots of organic matter? 

    Have you fed them … if so what with?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • IgrowfromseedIgrowfromseed Posts: 284
    Waltham butternut squash
    Very warm sun trap area south facing. Gets extra heat  from the brick wall. Never seen the leaves droopy so no signs of water shortage.
    Dug in lots of compost from the adjacent compost bin before planting
    Didn’t feel the need to add extra feed as the adjacent courgettes (see picture) were flourishing and have produced lots of fruits. 
    Picture taken beginning of July. The small squash just visible in bottom photo was planted out in June. 
    Perhaps it’s still just a waiting game and I may just have to plant out earlier next year after growing on in the greenhouse. 



  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Looks as if you've done everything right ... can't think of anything else you could've done ... it would be unusual for all three plants to be duds ... TBH  I've never had a squash of any type that's refused to produce female flowers ... although I do find the Uchiki kuri to be more prolific than the butternuts I used to grow (usually var. Hunter).

    I'd just blame the very odd season if I were you ... warm then cool then wet then warm ... they don't know where they are ... hopefully next year will be better ... that's gardening eh?

    In the meantime, you can stuff and eat the male flowers, just like the Italians do with male courgette/zucchini flowers. https://www.melindamyers.com/audio-video/melindas-garden-moment-audio-tips/vegetables-herbs-fruits/edible-squash-blossoms
    Lots of other recipes online. 
     :) 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CharlotteFCharlotteF Posts: 337
    I've had exactly the same this year. Happy enough plants with lots of growth, but no/few female flowers and no fruit set. I've been blaming the weather for not being warm enough for a sustained period.
  • IgrowfromseedIgrowfromseed Posts: 284
    It’s nice to know I’m not alone. Had another check today and an abundance of male flowers but no females. 
  • tony_dawsontony_dawson Posts: 5
    Glad to hear we dont appear to have made any fundamental errors, always next year!
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