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Re: butternut squash out of control

Edward Spiegel wrote:
>
> My butternut squash plant is now 6 feet high and despite the trellising
> spreading in all directions. I gave it 2 squares but it is in danger of
> taking over the adjacent squares and is getting very dense on the ground
> (which I understand increases the mildew risk).
>
> There isn't really another side to the trellis to let it climb down (the
> trellis is near our back fence.
>
> Should I (or can I) prune it? What are people's thoughts about this.
> Also, all of the beginning squash turn brown and died while tiny. Is this
> a pollination problem?
>
> If I prune it will I be hurting the plant or affecting the yield?
>
        I would prune off side branches leaving two or three long ones. I did
mine recently and cut it down to one but then I didn't have enough male
flowers at the same time as female.
        And I have to pollinate each female flower by hand or I get no fruit.
        I also have run my vine up the trellis, then down, now up again,
crisscrossing it in one foot layers. As the older leaves start to get
mildew and/or turn yellow, I cut them off to make room for the new ones.
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