Cucurbita moschata 'Hunter'
squash (butternut) 'Hunter'
'Hunter' is a squash producing uniform, small to medium-sized fruit, six to seven per plant, on bushy plants with trailing stems from late summer into autumn. Fruits are a light brown colour with orange-gold flesh with a small seed cavity
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | Brown | |
| Autumn | Green | Brown | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Trailing, Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Humans/Pets: If crop is bitter, don't eat or feed to pets. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
A small genus of climbing or trailing, annual herbaceous fruits. Several edible species are cultivated for food and other uses. Native to Central and South America. Solitary, star-shaped flowers are usually golden-yellow. Leaves are palmately lobed, covered with tiny, prickly hairs
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; sed germination requires a minimum temperature of 13⁰C and plants grow best at 18-21⁰C. Feed regularly with a high potassium fertiliser when the first fruits start to swell. See cucurbit cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and grey moulds
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