Problem I have bush squash and zuc instead of vining

I transplanted some squash and zucchini that I thought were the vining type. I put them on a trellis but now I'm finding out they are the bush type. Is it possible to train and prune the bush variety to grow on the trellis in order to control the plants? I have them in the correct spacing for a vining type and wouldn't be able to let them grow out.

Yes you can. Goto http://www.squarefootgardening.com/qnastart, click on plants and herbs and then zucchini. I've never tried it myself -- sounds like a lot of work.

Last year (pre SFG), I tried to stake up our bush zucchini plants. I had not really read about it, I just thought I could so I tried.

You might have better success then I did but here is what happened to ours. I used simple stakes for the plants and had to put several around each plant for it to support. The plants were heavy and had HUGE leaves. The main stem grew almost 2 feet and as I tried to tie it up, it would buckle and collapse on itself. We also had issues with the leaves and ended up cutting a lot off in order to keep them contained.

We gave up after a couple months because it was a loosing battle. Once we let the plants collapse, they started to produce more squash. On variety actually started branching and produced a lot more.

It sounds like you still might want to give it a try. If you do, I would suggest you really stay on them and give them lots of support and ties to keep the going upright.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes for you!

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/general-sfg-talk-f5/squash-vine-or-bush-t341-30.htm#15129

Please read the response I just posted earlier to this other conversation about vining/bush squash/zuc. I posted PICs too.

I think the key to growing the bush variety vertically is having one strong stake (like the metal t-posts that I'm using) and only focus on the main stalk of the plant to train, just like for tomatoes with main stem. So far it really hasn't been hard and my plants aren't angry with me . . . at least not yet I am a little worried about what will happen if the stakes aren't tall enough! I guess I'll cross that bridge when its time . . .

--Amber