Winter squashes and melons producing one fruit at a time?

ksbmom Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:35 pm

After looking around online, I decided to come and ask here because I know there will be lots of answers! My acorn and delicata squash plants are growing nicely and each has one fruit on the vine. There were two acorn squashes, but they were right next to each other and the smaller one eventually shriveled up and dropped off. My question is, is it normal for these vines to produce one at a time? I was hoping for a few at once! The pumpkin has two babies right now and was planted later. The plants themselves seem vigorous - some white fly damage, though not severe. Am I just being impatient? This is the first time growing these. Sorry no pictures! Will try to post some tomorrow.

Sue

Lindacol Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:56 pm

The delicata I have was also not very vigorous. I only got 1 or 2 squash total per vine. I want to try a different variety next year as my daughter really like delicata squash.

ksbmom Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:50 pm

Lindacol, do you know what variety yours was? My seed packet just says "Delicata squash" on it. It's from Ferry Morse. I know poor pollination can be a factor, but I've seen a lot more bees in the garden this season than I have in a long time. I'm wondering if I prune back the vines if more energy will go into fruit production?

Lindacol Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:58 pm

ksbmom wrote:Lindacol, do you know what variety yours was? My seed packet just says "Delicata squash" on it. It's from Ferry Morse. I know poor pollination can be a factor, but I've seen a lot more bees in the garden this season than I have in a long time. I'm wondering if I prune back the vines if more energy will go into fruit production?

Not sure if I still have the packet but I think it might be the same. It just said delicata squash with no variety or strain listed. Others on this forum have liked the honeyboat delicata and I think that is what I will try next year. My delicata vines were not as hardy as the other squash (butternut & yellow summer) which did fine.

We have lots and lots of bees and other pollinators this year - my daughter had a pollinator garden and has been documenting and taking pictures of all kinds of pollinators.

FamilyGardening Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:03 am

all of our winter squash did the same thing this year....our pumpkins produced between 1-4 per vine....the squash only 1 per plant....

we had/have a lot of bee's in and out pretty well thru the summer....we are in the PNW so our summer garden is over .....

our squash did the same thing last year too....we thought/think its because we dont have a long hot spell here....so felt blessed to get a few.....

our summer squash didnt produce as much as last year either..... :scratch:

i know not much help.....just wanted to share we had problems too....

hugs
rose

ksbmom Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:39 am

Thanks, Rose - it's always nice to know you're not the only one having problems! I look at my garden as a big experiment. Every time I grow anything I learn a lot about what to do or not do. Like this season I definitely decided that if I grow bush beans again, they need their own bed (or at least half a bed!) I know I planted other things in that bed, but the beans have taken over and I can't see whatever else it was I put in there. I gave up trying to tie them up!

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Winter squashes and melons producing one fruit at a time?

Winter squashes and melons producing one fruit at a time?

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Re: Winter squashes and melons producing one fruit at a time?

Re: Winter squashes and melons producing one fruit at a time?

Re: Winter squashes and melons producing one fruit at a time?

Re: Winter squashes and melons producing one fruit at a time?

Re: Winter squashes and melons producing one fruit at a time?


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