Squash Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
VARIETIES Yellow Straight Neck- Multipik, Golden Girl, Goldbar, Lemon Drop L, General Patton, Gold Spike, PS-391 Yellow Crook Neck- Early Golden, Goldie, Supersett, Meigs, Sunrise, Goldslice, Medallion, Prelude II, Liberater III Zuchini- President, Enterprise, Goldrush, Senator, Tigress, Independence II
SOIL PREFERENCE Fertile, well-drained with pH range 6.0 - 7.5 +. Will not tolerate wet, poorly aerated conditions.
OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS Warm to moderate air temperatures, 60 - 80 oF, with low humidity. Very cold sensitive.
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS Direct seeded (transplants well) Optimum time= Soil temperature in seed zone exceeds 60 oF after all danger of frost has passed. Seeding rate lbs/A= Bush types, 2 - 3 vining types, 1 - 2. Seeding depth= 0.5 - 1". Approx seed/oz= 120 -400 Seedling spacing= Bush types, 12 - 36 " in-row on 34 - 40 " wide beds vining types, 72 - 120 "
FERTILITY/FERTILIZATION Rates presented as actual lbs/Acre N2, P2O5 and K2O (base actual rates on soil test results). Generalized rate lbs/A: 70 - 70 - 80 N- 60 - 70; 40 - 50 lbs preplant incorporated or split banded 2 - 4 " on either side of seed row at planting + side dress 20 lbs, if needed at bloom. P- 70 - 120; banded approx 2 " below seed at planting. K- 80 - 100; preplant incorporated. Not normally needed in most areas of the state).
WATER/IRRIGATION 7 - 10 ", uniformly applied throughout cropping season. Relatively shallow rooted, light frequent applications best, 3 - 5/crop life.
PEST MANAGEMENT MAJOR DISEASES CONTROL Powdery mildew Bravo, Cabrio, Flint, Nova, Procure, Quadris Downy mildew Acrobat, Bravo, Gavel, mancozeb, Ridomil Gold Bravo, Ridomil Gold Copper, Ridomil Gold MZ Gummy stem blight Bravo, Cabrio, Quadris Choanephora fruit rot Improve aeration Viruses Resistant varieties, reflective mulch effective against Aphids Nematode K-Pam, Telone II, Telone C-17, Vydate MAJOR INSECTS CONTROL Cucumber beetle Asana, Capture, endosulfan, Furadan, permethrin, Sevin Leafminer Agri-mek, permethrin, Spintor, Trigard, Vydate Aphid Actara/Platinum, Admire, endosulfan, Fulfill, Metasystox-R Squash bug and squash vine borer Asana, Capture, endosulfan, permethrin, Sevin Pickleworm and melonworm Asana, Capture, diazinon, endosulfan, Lannate, permethrin, Seven, Spintor Whitefly Actara/Platinum, Admire, Danitol, endosulfan, insecticidal soap, Vydate Mite Agri-mek, Capture, Danitol, Kelthane WEED CONTROL Preplant incorporated Prefar Preemergence Command, Curbit, Prefar, Strategy Postemergence Dacthal, Poast, Sandea (shielded layby application), Select, Treflan (shielded layby application) (Note-One timely cultivation often is sufficient for control)
*NOTE*--The above is a partial listing of controls intended to serve as examples. some labels may have been revoked since the publication of this quide. Refer to product labels for specifics and use accordingly. Failure to do so may result in crop injury, death and/or citation for law violation. Humans, animals and the environment may also be adversely affected by misuse.
HARVEST Hand Harvest anytime fruit has obtained desired size while the flesh is white and juicy with tender seeds. Exercise care-easily bruised. Days after planting= Direct seeded- 40 - 45 Transplanted- 30 - 35. Containers= field baskets Grades= U.S. # 1, U.S. # 2 (based on defects/size) Packaging/handling= 1/2 bu baskets(20 - 24 lbs) or fiberboard cartons(20 - 24 or 40 lbs) Anticipated yield/A= 12,000
STORAGE / TRANSIT CONDITIONS 50 - 55 oF at 95 % RH Shelf-life= 5 - 7 days(summer types); 5 - 6 months (winter types).
COMMENTS/PRODUCTION KEYS High labor demand due to prolific nature of the crop which necessitates harvest every other day for maximum yield and fruit quality (fruit harvested in immature state). Uniform moisture supply required for maximum yields. Shallow rooted crop, most roots in upper 6-8 " of soil, require frequent light applications of irrigation water. As with all cucurbits, have male and female flowers, therefore requires the addition of bees to field to maximize pollination and subsequent yield. Warm temperatures and high humidity increase disease incidence. Viruses are the limiting factor to successful production, consequently plant early to avoid build up of insect (aphids) which transmit these organisms. Reflective mulches and row covers have been shown to offer some reduction in virus incidence. Fruit easily bruised, therefore extreme caution should be exercised during harvesting, handling and packaging. Are well adapted to drip irrigation-plastic mulch culture.
Texas Cooperative Extension, Horticulture Crop Guides Series Revised November, 2003 http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/squash.html Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger