Squash wound: What cased this?

[trents]

I have grown butternut squash for several years but this is the first year I have seen this. This same wound appears on several of my recently harvested butternuts. It's not a mechanical trauma. Could this be from water expansion after a recent rain like you see in tomatoes?

 

[pepper2.0]

Looks to me like it was cut or split on the outside, but I don't know. I do however know if you stick some googly-eyes on it and a wig, it would look like Mick Jagger lmao!

 

[trents]

It does look like that but that can't be it because I see this on several others, maybe almost half the harvest. It isn't likely that that many were physically damaged by some kind of trauma.

 

[cpp gardener]

I would say yes to the water expansion issue being the cause.

 

[trents]

Did some research and yes, it is water expansion. Happens when cooler weather at the end of the growing season causes the skins to harden and you keep watering or there is rain. I should have harvested sooner. The pictures in this link look exactly like what I am seeing: https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=488274

 

[MiTmite9]

I have grown butternut squash for several years but this is the first year I have seen this. This same wound appears on several of my recently harvested butternuts. It's not a mechanical trauma. Could this be from water expansion after a recent rain like you see in tomatoes? View attachment 111397

Caused by inconsistent watering: soil too dry and then overwatering.

 

[trents]

No, I was pretty consistent with watering. Of course, as the article pointed out, the other possibility could be over feeding which I could have been guilty of.

 

[pepper2.0]

I enjoy the Rolling Stones, I'm not making fun just having fun, seen this pic and had to post it lol.

 

[trents]

Ha! Ha! I see the resemblance! Even the "Nick".

 

[DirtMechanic]

View attachment 111422

I enjoy the Rolling Stones, I'm not making fun just having fun, seen this pic and had to post it lol.

Oh dang I came to say Mick!