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Pumpkin and squash

IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
in Fruit & veg
I think I mostly have squash. Is it time to cut away dying leaves now and cut away the ends of any vines to a grown squash so all the plant’s energy can divert to the fruits? If the stems are yellow, is it time to take the fruits? Is it worth feeding the plants still? 
Sorry so many questions 

Posts

  • PlashingPlashing Posts: 328
    I cut my Turk Turban winter squashes three weeks ago and put them in the greenhouse for a few days ad they are still alright in  utility room, you will  know if they are ready when you tap the skin if it is hard put them somewhere dry to finish off.
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Yes I took a couple a week ago. Just wondering if it’s time to clear the whole plants away and harvest the rest or will they grow some more into the rest of this month? 

    I’m sure some of the squashes like Crown Prince hasn’t grown in size for a month, it looks exactly the same size still.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    No they won’t be growing now. All
    mine are in a warm dry place for the skins to ‘cure’. 

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





  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Oh that’s interesting @Dovefromabove, so even if there’s healthy leaves and green stems and some fruits are still small, squashes are all done?

    In fact I’ve still got some grape sized fruits, no chance for those then?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It’s too cool for the fruits to be growing now.  I limit the amount of fruit on each vine pinching out the stem two leaves beyond each fruit once it’s set and is swelling. That enables the plant to put its energy into growing a few larger squash rather than lots of small ones. 

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





  • pclark42pclark42 Posts: 186
    This year I grew Squash and Marrow both were brilliant, but I can't stand them to eat, and they take up so much garden, something else for next season
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    That’s a shame … but there’s no point in growing something you don’t like to eat. 😊 

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





  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    Dovefromabove said:
    It’s too cool for the fruits to be growing now.  I limit the amount of fruit on each vine pinching out the stem two leaves beyond each fruit once it’s set and is swelling. That enables the plant to put its energy into growing a few larger squash rather than lots of small ones. 
    I’m just too greedy a gardener. Anyway I don’t treat them well enough to get 3 or 4 fruits from each vine. Maybe more like one or two. I’ll let them stay until the end of this mini heatwave. I love growing them, the vines grow through shrubs and other plants and surprise you with hidden globes, so many shapes and sizes. Pity we can’t grow melons here outside though.

    I’ll always make space for them but will try to give them a better start next year. Mine always try to catch up late.
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