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Pumpkins, Squash & Gourds

Winter Squash ~ Do I clip off new shoots?

10 years ago

I have 6 Squash growing in 3 - 18 gallon containers. The primary shoots are well established and heading up to the roof of the arbor. Also starting to both flower and fruit. Now I've noticed that 2nd, 3rd and even 4th runners/shoots are starting to take off....looking for daylight.

Do I clip these off in favor of a healthier/stronger primary shoot or will it damage the plant ? Or any other reason why I shouldn't? Thanks for the input...

Comments (3)

katkeeper36
Original Author
10 years ago
new shoots
katkeeper36
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the input. I got approx. 60 sqft of trellis/arbor space...so that's why I would clip them back. A lot of ground critters ( rabbits, hedgehogs ) are the primary reason I'm growing vertically.

I purposely picked smaller squash for the arbor...so left to right is this Black Futsu ( darker leaves ), Red Kuri, Acorn, Delicata, Black Futsu, Red Kuri.

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