Kitchen Garden Forum

I am growing Aubergines and Winter Squash for the first time this year and would like to know how many fruit I should allow to develop.

The Aubergines (2) are growing in pots in the greenhouse, the pots being in trays so that I can provide ample water.

The Winter Squash is Orange Dawn, which I understand to be grapefruit-sized on semi-bushy plants. Also, what is meant by semi-bushy? I have 6 plants and only one of them has put out a runner. Do I leave the runner and take fruit from that or what?

I don't restrict the number of aubergines on a plant as they ripen at different stages, so there's a natural progression.

Having said that - I've only been growing them for a few years and I might have been getting it wrong all along!

As for Squash - they're mostly new to me this year. Only grown courgettes, pumpkins and butternut before, so there are better advisors out there.....

I agree with you Tigger on the Aubergines...
Depending on the plants you've got, I'd restrict some plants to produce very few but large fruits, and others, lots but smaller fruits (and you'd pay a FORTUNE in the shops for these little 'mini-veg'...).

As for squashes, well, with the Turks Turbans I've got going at the minute, I'm going to HAVE to restrict the number of fruits developing or it'll be THEM living in my cottage before the summer's out.
The Butternut Squashes are realistically just starting to produce and 'set' fruit now, and if I can discipline myself, I'll try and restrict their fruits to between 3 and 5 fruits per plant, to get the best from them ?
I've only been able to 'suggest' the above with what I gleaned from my efforts last summer, which was my first attempt, but in no way a poor effort.
Wellie

I have been reading this correspondence with interest as I did not know that the fruit should be restricted, but I will probably keep on growing as I did last year because there are only two of us and we got as many as eight butternut squashes from one plant and each one was used twice with just sufficient to roast for two people, and eat with other vegetables,which suits us.

That's Fantastic growing for your first year.
Isn't it just wonderful when you get that kind of return for your efforts?!

I'm hats off to you.

My Butternuts this year are 'toying with my emotions' so far.... And I'm sure they are going to come up trumps - aren't you girls??!
We'll wait and see, obviously.
wellie

I have never restricted aubergine numbers but some support could be necessary if they get too heavy, more of a problem with peppers.
Allan

out of interest, colin, what type of aubergines are you growing?

I have read in more than one place that aubergines be restricted to 4 per plant to allow them to develop best. Never done it myself , though, so no direct experience. I'm happy if I get one per plant, and leave it well alone

Wow jaci I'd be real happy with 8 fruits per plant, that's great going! Thanks for the advice of 3-5 for big 'uns wellie, most of my squash are still starting off (sown last month) so next visit to the squash patch I'll tell them that's what they're aiming for