Butternuts... seedless... almost?

14 years ago

I grew Waltham Butternuts this year against my better judgement knowing that they can be tough to ripen in this cool climate. But I was drawn by their legendary reputation for long storage quality. I wasn't sure they would ripen and they almost didn't. With only minutes left before the last leaves wilted away the fruits managed to (barely) ripen leaving me with 50-60 sizable squashes from 6 vines.

I was first struck by the shape of the fruits, much more barrel-shaped instead of the classic pear-shaped butternut. I was impressed by the huge amount of edible flesh in these things. Not to mention the seed cavity is almost completely missing. When I draw-and-quarter these guys more often than not there is no apparent seed cavity. Check the picture below:

Further investigation may yield an almost nonexistent seed cavity. In the squash pictured the discolored area at the top of the squash is the seed area and there is just a little mushy but seedless pocket right there. The stem end is at the bottom of the picture.

I'm very happy with the quality and productivity of these squashes but I'm left wondering if the barrel-shape and near seedlessness is a fluke or if I can expect the same results next year. Either way I'm hooked.

Featured Answer

tcstoehr
Original Author

14 years ago

I cut another one open tonight. This one had a small, flat, empty seed crevice. No seeds again. With 50 large squashes there's gotta be some seeds in there somewhere. In the meantime I'm eating butternut squash soup like it's going out of style.

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Comments (13)

User
14 years ago
I'd say, Save those seeds! Except ...
cygnwulf
14 years ago
How very strange. I've only grown butternut a time or two but I haven't ever seen one do that.
The only think I could think of is maybe you ended up with some crossed seeds? I know some Maxima x Moschata hybrids are seedless, but that takes some very, very deliberate actions on the part of the seed producer. Also, the only ones I have seen looked more like pumpkins or were warty, round things, but you had 6 plants and I gather from your post they all behaved this way.
Do you still have any seeds from the packet? You might could try again, maybe start them early under a row cover or hoop house? see if you get similar results?
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glib
14 years ago
By all means save those few seeds. I think that what is going on is that with the increased demand seed producers have become a lot sloppier. You got a lucky cross. I myself got a Hubbard skin, 8lb butternut, and an acorn squash on a butternut plant.
ibarbidahl
14 years ago
MMMmmm... butternuts are my favorites and those look like something I'd knock off a friend for! ;-)
Definately seems like a cross - and a lucky one at that. Hope you've got plenty of seed left. If stored right you might be able to plant them out for a few more years. G/L!!! (And I'm JEALOUS!)

Barbie
User
14 years ago
If it's a cross, any seeds probably won't come true. It's the seeds in the packet that are the treasure.
paveggie
14 years ago
While unusual for so many, I believe this might be result of minimal pollination and the lateness of the setting within the season. That would be just enough pollination to trigger fruit development but not good seed set & development. These types squash aren't considered parthenocarpic, but you had the same effect due to a fluke of nature.

At least it saves cleaning up seed cavities.
glib
14 years ago
We finally ate the Hubbard-butternut mongrel on Turkey Day, and it was delicious. butternut taste with hubbard texture, I like it better than either. My wife had thrown the guts in the compost so I did a dumpster dive today and recovered 20 seeds.
tcstoehr
Original Author
14 years ago
I did consider the lack of pollination idea. In my garden the female flowers alway come out well in advance of the males, and no Butternuts set this year until the male blooms came along.
But the odd thing about these squashes is how many of them were very thick at the top or middle, much more so than a typical Butternut. But today I purposely selected one of the very few that does have the classic Butternut shape and as you might guess it did have a normal seed cavity full of seeds.
eahamel
14 years ago
I've seen them like that in the seed catalogs. Seems to be an improved variety, and wow, I like the amount of squash inside!
Macmex
14 years ago
I agree with Paveggie. Bet it's due to environment. Waltham is a very good squash.

George
Tahlequah, OK
HU-610484350
4 years ago
8 squash so far cleaned the first one had a few seeds (wish i had kept them) no seeds at all in the last 7 Very hot summer this year So polination may have been the issue Also think they were Waltham If I find any seeds in the next 63 squash Im keeping them and hope they are good
HU-533184980
3 years ago
Could they be GMO, they want seedless for control.anta