UK gardening - Another squash question

Author

Another squash question

Janet Galpin

2005-09-24, 10:21 am

I accidentally picked my first butternut squash. It's a good large one
and I would like to store it.
A week ago just after picking it had one small area which was darker
brown but the staining looked quite superficial. In the last week,
however, the area has spread and other little bits have begun to go
darker. The surface of the squash is very slightly indented where the
staining occurs - kind of pock-marked.
I wondered if anyone knew whether this is a common affliction of
butternut squashes and whether it means it's unlikely to keep.

Janet G

Nick Maclaren

2005-09-24, 11:21 am

In article <3130303036353939433560BA15@zetnet.co.uk>,
Janet Galpin <decoy.farm@zetnet.co.uk> wrote:
>I accidentally picked my first butternut squash. It's a good large one
>and I would like to store it.
>A week ago just after picking it had one small area which was darker
>brown but the staining looked quite superficial. In the last week,
>however, the area has spread and other little bits have begun to go
>darker. The surface of the squash is very slightly indented where the
>staining occurs - kind of pock-marked.
>I wondered if anyone knew whether this is a common affliction of
>butternut squashes and whether it means it's unlikely to keep.

Yup. And others. Eat it PDQ, or it will rot to slime.

Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Janet Galpin

2005-09-24, 4:21 pm

The message <dh3lla$io2$1@gemini.csx.cam.ac.uk>
from nmm1@cus.cam.ac.uk (Nick Maclaren) contains these words:

> In article <3130303036353939433560BA15@zetnet.co.uk>,
> Janet Galpin <decoy.farm@zetnet.co.uk> wrote:
[color=darkred]
> Yup. And others. Eat it PDQ, or it will rot to slime.

Thanks, Nick, I will. Do you know what causes it?

Janet G

Nick Maclaren

2005-09-25, 7:21 am

In article <31303030363539394335AC6A05@zetnet.co.uk>,
Janet Galpin <decoy.farm@zetnet.co.uk> wrote:
>
>
>
>Thanks, Nick, I will. Do you know what causes it?

Not precisely, but it's fungal. It is a mould or similar, and the
softening is exactly the same phenomenon where apples, peaches etc.
soften (and go dark) as they get attacked in the same way. It
progresses more slowly in squash, so it is easier to salvage the
sound parts.

Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Janet Galpin

2005-09-25, 10:21 am

The message <dh5sqi$3bt$1@gemini.csx.cam.ac.uk>
from nmm1@cus.cam.ac.uk (Nick Maclaren) contains these words:

> In article <31303030363539394335AC6A05@zetnet.co.uk>,
> Janet Galpin <decoy.farm@zetnet.co.uk> wrote:
[color=darkred]
> Not precisely, but it's fungal. It is a mould or similar, and the
> softening is exactly the same phenomenon where apples, peaches etc.
> soften (and go dark) as they get attacked in the same way. It
> progresses more slowly in squash, so it is easier to salvage the
> sound parts.

> Regards,
> Nick Maclaren.

I have my plants in a poytunnel and I'm wondering whether the closer
atmosphere in there could have tended towards producing moulds. Any
suggestions as to whether I should pick the remaining squashes sooner
rather than later? If they have turned that more mellow colour which
seems to suggest ripeness, is it better to pick them anyway?
(First year growing squashes so no experience to draw on - and keen to
get it right, especially as they've taken over the polytunnel!)

Janet G

Nick Maclaren

2005-09-25, 2:21 pm

In article <31303030363539394336AE3A29@zetnet.co.uk>,
Janet Galpin <decoy.farm@zetnet.co.uk> wrote:
>
>
>I have my plants in a poytunnel and I'm wondering whether the closer
>atmosphere in there could have tended towards producing moulds. Any
>suggestions as to whether I should pick the remaining squashes sooner
>rather than later? If they have turned that more mellow colour which
>seems to suggest ripeness, is it better to pick them anyway?

Yes. Polytunnels are very likely to make the problem worse - and
so is the weather we have been having (at least here). Put them
somewhere airy, dry and sunny (and frost free) and keep an eye on
them. Well ripened squashes will keep for 6 months, but that is
tricky to achieve in this land of dim gloom and perpetual damp.

Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Janet Galpin

2005-09-26, 9:21 pm

The message <dh6l3u$k1h$1@gemini.csx.cam.ac.uk>
from nmm1@cus.cam.ac.uk (Nick Maclaren) contains these words:

> In article <31303030363539394336AE3A29@zetnet.co.uk>,
> Janet Galpin <decoy.farm@zetnet.co.uk> wrote:
[color=darkred]
> Yes. Polytunnels are very likely to make the problem worse - and
> so is the weather we have been having (at least here). Put them
> somewhere airy, dry and sunny (and frost free) and keep an eye on
> them. Well ripened squashes will keep for 6 months, but that is
> tricky to achieve in this land of dim gloom and perpetual damp.

Thanks for all the advice. No more questions!

Janet G

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