Heat keeping Waltham Butternut squash from growing?

last year

I'm in central Indiana and it's been high 80's most of the time, with occasional 90's. My Waltham butternut squash is growing up a trellis. Well, it's trying too, but not making much progress. And here it is almost m id July. It's only about a foot up the trellis. and there's only been 1 male blossom. We haven't had much rain, but I've watered it almost every 2-3 days. Is the heat the only thing that's slowing it down? No bugs to speak of. I really look forward to baking it and using an immersion blender and freezing it. I can't see how it can possibly even produce at this point. Even if the weather cools off, doesn't it also respond to the length of day? I think with climate change, we gardeners are in for some sadness.

Anything I can to to hasten these squash up? Actually, there aren't any squash to hasten. Anyhow.....any ideas? Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

klem1
last year
Heat isn't the problem, squash love heat and plenty water. Limited vine growth sounds like low fertility, esp nitrogen . This variety vine and fruit are both huge so it needs a lot of nutrients. I'd dig-in a complete synthetic fertilizer 8-12" from vine and/or apply liquid fertilizer inside that circle. Unless I saw remarkable change, I'd repeat the liquid at 2 week intervals or at half recommended rate weekly.
catherinet (5IN) thanked klem1
porkchop_z5b_MI
last year
Have you grown up a trellis before with good results? Asking because I don't have any trouble growing butternut when I let them run on the ground, always lush growth and a large amount of fruit, but I have tried to grow up a trellis a couple of times with poor results. IDK why, but for some reason they just didn't want to set much fruit growing upward, so I abandoned that and went back to letting them run on the ground.

It's been hot and humid this year, and they're growing well. The concern for me this year is that they got in late because of the weather so they're behind schedule; I didn't get them in the ground until mid-June. They should start setting fruit any day now, the blossoms are there, I just hope they have enough time to fully ripen before frost sets in.
Related Professionals
San Antonio Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Waco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Sioux City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Utica Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Washington Landscape Contractors · Watertown Landscape Contractors · Canton Landscape Contractors · Rutland Landscape Contractors · Fort Smith Accessory Dwelling Units · Cape Coral Accessory Dwelling Units · Kansas City Accessory Dwelling Units · Augusta Accessory Dwelling Units · Hackettstown Accessory Dwelling Units · Madison Accessory Dwelling Units · Wenatchee Accessory Dwelling Units
catherinet (5IN)
Original Author
last year
Yes, I think I probably should have added more fertilizer, since they've been growing in this location for a number of years. I did add some extra compost to them this year. And to porkchop.........I have been growing them up my children's old swingset (lined with strong construction wire that I can reach into) for at least 10 years, and the majority of years, the squash have grown like crazy............even over the top and onto the other side, onto the ground. I think I got 40 squash that year. It's been declining since, so I think I might do what klem1 suggested and give them more fertilizer. Thanks!
catherinet (5IN)
Original Author
last year
P.S......One of the "memories" that came up on my Facebook page today was of a couple years ago of my squash on this date. It was about 6' taller at this time then. I need to come to the realization that our winters won't have that sweet side dish of squash............... Little things mean a lot. :(
klem1
last year
If you've grown the same crop in same soil for several years , that undoubtedly is contributing to poor growth. The solution for next year might be simple as moving to new soil and/or rotating crops.
catherinet (5IN) thanked klem1