Kuri squash/pumpkin- will they be ripe?

myclayjungle

I've got kuri and butternut squash in large pots and each plant has a fruit.  I suspect they are now affected by powdery mildew and the leaves look awful.  Will the fruit have ripened enough to eat, or should they have had another month or 2 to mature?

Joyce Goldenlily

I wouldn't worry about the mildew at this time of year, just keep the plants well watered and I would leave the fruits on the plants as long as possible to give the skins time to harden and set. Then you can cut them and store any surplus for a couple of months. I have some spaghetti squash still on my plants which I am hoping to use for Christmas. Several of the leaves have mildew but it doesn't seem to affect the squash. The leaves will begin to die off naturally from now on.

tui34

Hello.  I'd put them on top of a stone or something to keep them off the damp ground.  I harvest my pumpkins around about Halloween or when the plant has completely died away and there is no more nourishment for the fruit.

Nice cut up and roasted with rosemary, garlic and a drizzle of olive oil!! (S & P)
Bon appétit!

BobTheGardener

As long as you harvest them before the first frost, you can leave them on the plants until the skins harden (which you'll want them to do if storing for any length of time.) 

myclayjungle

Thanks everyone.  I've never grown them before, and due to extended house renovations, couldn't go in the ground.  I shall leave them on the vine as long as possible. I don't plan to store them any length of time- especially if they are tasty!