Butternut squash only male flowers

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Aidan mc, Jul 27, 2022.

  1. Aidan mc

    Aidan mc Gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2016
    Messages:
    31
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +16
    I have a couple of butternut squash plants, seem to be growing well but only producing male flowers. Seeds were from last year.
    Why would this be?
    Have a couple of Urchi Kuri also and they are beginning to produce fruits.
     
  2. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    6,921
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Mad Scientist
    Location:
    Paignton Devon
    Ratings:
    +23,459
    Tends to be down to the maturity of the plants and growing conditions, keep watering and feeding and they should come good. Sometimes if they get a lot of fruit developing they will revert to mainly/all male flowers.
     
  3. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    51,567
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +95,467
    I've not grown these but have grown other members of the same family, pumpkins etc. and they all seem to take at least a while before they start to produce female flowers, length of time varies but pumpkins can take a while.
    I think this is why you need an early start as these often need a longer growing season than we normally get in the UK.

    I think you still have time but it's running out fast.
     
  4. infradig

    infradig Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2022
    Messages:
    1,098
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Freelance self preservationist
    Location:
    Solent
    Ratings:
    +1,312
    Might consider pruning this a bit, might panic it to reproduce. Leave enough to sustain the (hopefully) embryonic fruit.Would continue to water but not feed. If it sets many fruit, restrict to 3 or 4.
    Regarding time to mature, we will have to see; guess we are due a swing in the Jetstream to high pressure but one can only hope/pray! Perhaps if it was ignored, climate would revert to 'normal'.
     
  5. Sian in Belgium

    Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2011
    Messages:
    2,989
    Location:
    Just south of Brussels
    Ratings:
    +9,242
    It sounds to me as if the fruit developed, but not fully. Hence the small seed cavity, and immature/deformed seeds. Probably because the fruit continued to develop after the normal growing season, and into our strange mild late autumn.
    Our squash plants grew extra fruit, after I thought it should have stopped. I have yet so see what they are like insideā€¦
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

      Joined:
      Jan 9, 2005
      Messages:
      51,567
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Mid Kent
      Ratings:
      +95,467
      If the seed are not fully developed it suggests the fruit were not fully ripe or poor pollination, IMO.
       
    • Adam I

      Adam I Gardener

      Joined:
      Nov 22, 2023
      Messages:
      209
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Hijinks
      Location:
      Hampshire
      Ratings:
      +278
      Looks great. Butternuts are one of the yummiest squashes, I use them for pompkin pie. Boil them till mushy, then add a bit of allspice, nutmeg, black pepper, salt and brown sugar. Add egg yolks, slap in your favourite pie crust and bake. Gorgeous.
       
    Loading...

    Share This Page

    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
      Dismiss Notice