Butternut Squash Help

stephproffitt 7/24/2012, 8:58 pm

I have planted four butternut squash starts from Lowe's and they aren't producing any fruit.

I will say the insane heat and drought that we (and 70% of the US) are having here in Ohio really stopped my garden from doing anything, in fact my broccoli tried dying twice, but eventually with lots of water things have really taken off again, growing big and green. I have oodles of male flowers popping open every day and the plants are taking over the garden. However, I do not have a single female flower and I am beginning to worry.

Does anyone know if there is anything I do to create female blossoms?

Pollinator 7/24/2012, 9:08 pm

stephproffitt wrote:I have planted four butternut squash starts from Lowe's and they aren't producing any fruit.
...
Does anyone know if there is anything I do to create female blossoms?

I've had the same problem in extreme weather - also had squash with all female blossoms and no males. I think the weather can get the plants confused.

I know of no solution other than patience and making sure the plants don't dehydrate in the hot weather.

hruten 7/25/2012, 6:34 am

@stephproffit I too have had the same issues. I have LOTS of male flowers but the females are either not open, or not blooming at all. The only exception is 1 of my zuchinni squash. I've managed to get 5 pie pumpkins, but none of it was from my doing. At this point I'm leaving things up to nature, chalking it up to experience and planting a little different next year.

Pollinator also told me that my cukes are not pollinating well, but I haven't had luck helping them either. I think I'll leave it to the bees/bugs. Embarassed

I kinda feel invasive about it anyway Laughing

stephproffitt 7/29/2012, 8:00 pm

Aftera weekend out of town i returned to one TINY squash and three TINY broccoli!!!

Sponsored content

Butternut Squash Help

Butternut Squash Help

Re: Butternut Squash Help

Re: Butternut Squash Help

Re: Butternut Squash Help

Re: Butternut Squash Help


	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.