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Winter squash

balgowniejanebalgowniejane Posts: 3
in Plants
I have grown uchiki kuri squash in a poly tunnel. Both plants have one large dark orange ripe looking fruit on it and a couple of smaller immature fruits. Should I cut the mature fruit off now to encourage the other small fruits to develop.

Posts

  • scrogginscroggin Posts: 437
    Not unless you want to eat it now. It won't impede the development of the smaller fruit, if you want to store them over winter leave them to develop a hard skin. I don't harvest my winter squash until the end of September.
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Hi - definitely not!!! (cut the mature fruit off)    It will be immature and white inside.  I also have one massive fruit on my plant and other smaller fruit coming on.  

    I would suggest you lop the plant off at the end which will give some strength to the smaller fruit.  Not too close to the fruit as they need the leaves to mature.   I do the same with my tomato and cucumber plants when they are at their zenith.  This way the plant uses it strength on the fruit.

    I harvest my pumpkins in October in time for Hallowe'en.  When the plant has died and dried! 

    Good luck.

    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I too stop the plant by cutting stems once they have 2 or 3 fruits as this leads to better ripening and flavour.   Keep the plant watered and fed and harvest in October.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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