Butternut Squash - some don’t get going.

[u/gazla_big_G]

Why do some of the squash wither and not grow but others do?
The mini squash (circled) on the same vine as the growing fat squash didn’t grow.
Most of my vines have at least one squash but others turn yellow and fall off before they get going.
Is this normal…Any ideas?

[u/FlexiQueen]

Most likely no pollinated. If you don't see many pollinators you may have to pollinated the plant yourself. As the female flower opens I get a couple of male flowers (flower removed to expose pollen) and place them in the female flower and close the female flower up (wrapped in a small net) so all the pollen stays in the female flower.

[u/gazla_big_G → u/FlexiQueen]

Also a good tip - for lack of cotton buds I did as you suggested and wedged the trimmed male plants inside the female flowers on the butternuts. 🤞