Hunter Squash

[bethduckie]

Just noticed my Hunter squash has some very promising butternut squash shaped swellings with flowers attached. Hurrah! So I have a few questions.

When the flowers open, do they need to be fertilised, or will they grow, seedless, without fertilisation? There are a few males too, they aren't open yet either lol.

Once fertilized, do I limit the plant to a certain number of squashes, in order that they mature? If so how many would you recommend?

Thanks

[c'est la vie]

Hi Bethduckie,

I'm growing these too! ( see my thread posted today). Your female flowers will be fertilised by the bees, if they're around. But to be on the safe side you can intervene, all you need is a small, soft headed paintbrush. Dabble it inside the male flower and you should see the pollen on the bristles, then all you need to do is gentle fertilise the female flower with the pollen on the brush. It's best done around the warmest part of the day when the flowers are fully open.

Think your other question might be better answered by someone else as mine are much further on than yours in England and I've just left them to it. But we do have a longer growing season so I'm not too worried about them not ripening (whatever it is they turn into). But I have to say that their product of females has slowed over the last few days.... it has been cold and wet this week, I don't think the girls like it much

Good luck