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

In article ,
Janet Galpin 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.

The message
from (Nick Maclaren) contains these words:

In article ,
Janet Galpin 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.


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

Janet G

In article ,
Janet Galpin 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.

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

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.

The message
from (Nick Maclaren) contains these words:

In article ,
Janet Galpin 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.

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

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.

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

In article ,
Janet Galpin 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.

The message
from (Nick Maclaren) contains these words:

In article ,
Janet Galpin 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.


Thanks for all the advice. No more questions!

Janet G