Cucurbit trailing stems

[Mike GreenParticipant]

Good morning Charles
I have Queensland Blue, Gem Squash and Butternut growing. They are all rampant, and a lot of the stems go for 6 feet or more with no sign of flower or fruit. Most of them don’t appear to be rooting either. It must be too late for any fruit to develop now, so would it be good practice to remove the unproductive stems, to give more light to the fruit that is there, and to direct the energy of the plant to existing fruit.
By the way, I tried growing them under Sweetcorn and have found it very difficult to get at the corn without treading on stems – I don’t think I will try that again.
All the best
Mike Green

[charlesModerator]

Mike, I would eave them unless they are in your way. I think their photosynthesis goes to swell existing fruits.
For growing with corn, try Uchiki Kuri which is a smaller plant!

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