Pink banana squash is a winter squash that can weigh up to 15 pounds (7 kg), but the average weight is 10 pounds (4.5 kg). Pink banana squash fruits are typically 18” to 30” (45 to 76 cm) long. Learn how and when to harvest pink banana squash to harvest at the optimum time.
There is a variety called jumbo pink banana squash, whose fruits can weigh between 40 and 50 pounds (18 and 23 kg). This squash has pink skin and orange flesh with an intense sweet flavor. The vine grows very large, so it is not suitable for small spaces.
Pink banana squash is native to Peru and is also known as Plymouth Rock and Mexican Banana. Continue reading to find out how and when to harvest pink banana squash correctly.
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When to Harvest Pink Banana Squash
When to Harvest Pink Banana Squash? Pink banana squash fruit takes approximately 100 to 110 days to ripen. This means that pink banana squash will be ready for harvest in early fall. But it is not only the ripening days that must be counted to know when to harvest pink banana squash.
The leaves of the pink banana squash vine will begin to dry as the squashes mature. Note that not all squash will ripen at the same time. Observe the leaves of the vine to know if the fruits are already ripe.
Also, you can tell if a pink banana squash is ripe by pressing on the skin of the squash with your fingernail. If there is a mark on the skin of the squash when you press on it, it is not ripe yet. A ripe pink banana squash will have hard skin.
Finally, you will notice that the pink banana squash has a light-yellow color at the beginning, but as time goes by you will notice that its color changes to a pinkish salmon color. A pink banana squash when ripe will have a light salmon pink color.
So, to know when to harvest pink banana squash you should observe the vine leaves, count the days of ripening and observe the hardness of the squash skin.
When to Harvest Jumbo Pink Banana Squash
When to Harvest Jumbo Pink Banana Squash? Jumbo pink banana squash will be ripe and ready to harvest after 110 to 120 days after planting. This variety of squash takes a little longer to ripen than the pink banana squash variety. Usually, you can harvest the jumbo pink banana squash in early fall.
To determine fruit ripening, follow the same advice as mentioned for pink banana squash. Observe the leaves of the vine, count the days of ripening and finally check the hardness of the skin of the squash. A jumbo pink banana squash will have hard skin and a light salmon pink color. The University of Florida reports that jumbo pink banana squash of up to 75 pounds (34 kg) has been harvested.
How to Harvest Pink Banana Squash
How to Harvest Pink Banana Squash? Harvesting pink banana squash is very easy, you only need pruning shears or a sharp knife. Before using the tools to harvest the squash, disinfect them with alcohol.
Not all pink banana squash will be ripe at the same time, only select ripe squash to harvest. Select the pink banana squash you will harvest and cut the stem to remove it from the vine. Never pull the squash off the vine to avoid damaging the vine. Leave a stem 2” to 3” (5 to 8 cm) long for better preservation of pink banana squash.
Then brush the squash to clean it, but do not rinse or wash the squash, it is best to avoid moisture for squash preservation. Be sure to harvest all pink banana squash before fall frosts begin.
How to Store Pink Banana Squash
How to Store Pink Banana Squash? To store pink banana squash, curing must first be done, as with all winter squashes. Leaving a 2” to 3” (5 to 8 cm) stem on the squash as mentioned above will help to store the squash longer.
Place pink banana squash in a well-ventilated place and allow them to receive sun for 7 to 10 days. The ideal curing temperature for pink banana squash is between 80 and 85 °F (27 to 29 °C). Prevent rains from wetting the squash during the curing process.
Once the pink banana squash has been cured, the squash can be stored for up to 6 months. You can store pink banana squash in a garage with a temperature of 50 and 55 °F (10 to 13 °C).
Never stack squash, both in the curing process and in storage. Stacking squashes may cause damage and rot due to damage to the skin of the squash.
Final Conclusions
Pink banana squash is an interesting variety of squash to grow in the garden and watch its giant fruits grow. Besides the fact that pink banana squash has large fruits, its fruits are tasty with a sweet flavor.
I hope this article about how and when to harvest pink banana squash will be useful, and you will have an excellent harvest. I recommend our articles about how and when to harvest Jarrahdale pumpkin and how and when to harvest Long Island cheese pumpkin.
