how many winter squash per plant?

habitat_gardener · August 7, 2012

On another thread, Carol said her burpee buttercups produced only 3 per plant.

I've already gotten 3 acorn squash from a volunteer plant. I've been wondering whether to pull it. It looks like it might be forming more flowers, but I don't see more fruit yet.

How many winter squash do you get per plant?

tjg911 · August 8, 2012

i normally only grow waltham butternut. i get 4-5 per plant.

tom

Zeedman · August 9, 2012

IMO, there is no set number of squash per plant. That will vary depending upon variety, soil fertility, plant spacing, and whether you fertilize. The weather can play a part too, especially this year. So can SVB.

My Ebony acorn squash generally get 5-7 per plant; but when I grew bush acorn, it got 4-5.
Larger winter squash tend to get fewer per plant. Queensland Blue got 2-3 on poor soil with a shovel of composted manure dug into a hole adjacent to the plants. On the more fertile soil I cultivate now, they will set 3-4, sometimes 5, without fertilization.

One more factor can increase yield. Choose long-vining varieties that root from the stem, and bury each main vine in at least one point. Water the buried points to keep them moist, until roots form. If you get enough rain (or keep the soil moist by irrigation) then the vines will root at many points on their own. My Queensland & Kabocha were able to survive SVB attack this year, because I buried the vines when I saw that the moths were active. By the time the larvae were beginning to damage the main stem, the additional roots were well established

habitat_gardener · August 9, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeedman

...One more factor can increase yield. Choose long-vining varieties that root from the stem, and bury each main vine in at least one point....

Very interesting! I have a few squash plants I'd like to relocate that are sending vines far and wide. I'll experiment to see if some of the vines will grow new roots.

tjg911 · August 9, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeedman

One more factor can increase yield. Choose long-vining varieties that root from the stem, and bury each main vine in at least one point. Water the buried points to keep them moist, until roots form. If you get enough rain (or keep the soil moist by irrigation) then the vines will root at many points on their own. My Queensland & Kabocha were able to survive SVB attack this year, because I buried the vines when I saw that the moths were active. By the time the larvae were beginning to damage the main stem, the additional roots were well established

that's very interesting and surprising, i never heard of this or ever would have thought of it! anything to defeat the svb!

tom

Wi-sunflower · August 9, 2012

Only the buttercup varieties seem to be low producers for me. I even ask a Japanese seed company rep at a convention if any of their expensive hybrid varieties were more productive and they said they generally produced 2 or 3 fruit / vine.

But on acorn and Festival and others I will often get many more fruit / plant. I can't say exactly how many you might get but it can be plenty if conditions are right.

As stated lots of things can affect production. Weather, fertility and bees will be part of the equation. As long as you have the weather for maturing a fruit, I wouldn't pull a plant just yet.

Carol

August 7, 2012	#1
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	how many winter squash per plant? On another thread, Carol said her burpee buttercups produced only 3 per plant. I've already gotten 3 acorn squash from a volunteer plant. I've been wondering whether to pull it. It looks like it might be forming more flowers, but I don't see more fruit yet. How many winter squash do you get per plant?

August 8, 2012	#2
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	i normally only grow waltham butternut. i get 4-5 per plant. tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

August 9, 2012	#3
Zeedman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 313	IMO, there is no set number of squash per plant. That will vary depending upon variety, soil fertility, plant spacing, and whether you fertilize. The weather can play a part too, especially this year. So can SVB. My Ebony acorn squash generally get 5-7 per plant; but when I grew bush acorn, it got 4-5. Larger winter squash tend to get fewer per plant. Queensland Blue got 2-3 on poor soil with a shovel of composted manure dug into a hole adjacent to the plants. On the more fertile soil I cultivate now, they will set 3-4, sometimes 5, without fertilization. One more factor can increase yield. Choose long-vining varieties that root from the stem, and bury each main vine in at least one point. Water the buried points to keep them moist, until roots form. If you get enough rain (or keep the soil moist by irrigation) then the vines will root at many points on their own. My Queensland & Kabocha were able to survive SVB attack this year, because I buried the vines when I saw that the moths were active. By the time the larvae were beginning to damage the main stem, the additional roots were well established

August 9, 2012	#6
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	Only the buttercup varieties seem to be low producers for me. I even ask a Japanese seed company rep at a convention if any of their expensive hybrid varieties were more productive and they said they generally produced 2 or 3 fruit / vine. But on acorn and Festival and others I will often get many more fruit / plant. I can't say exactly how many you might get but it can be plenty if conditions are right. As stated lots of things can affect production. Weather, fertility and bees will be part of the equation. As long as you have the weather for maturing a fruit, I wouldn't pull a plant just yet. Carol