Yes, it's very tough to grow anything edible here in zone 3. Calgary is not very big but some areas can grow nothing but zone 4 trees due to microclimate pockets created by the Rockies.

I thought 12 plants was more than enough. But again, only the 6 buttercup plants are bearing flowers, and the male and females flowers decide to come out at different times. I will continue to take pollens from dead male flowers to pollinate the females. It may or may not work but at this point, I really don't have anything else to lose! :-)

Thank you for the tip. I have thought about that too only there was not one single butternut flower in sight! I see one buttercup male flower out this morning but all the females have shrunk so the male has become useless. This is indeed very frustrating!

Just a thought...I was also shocked to see 3 female pumpkin blossoms and no males on my plant. Had to watch the blossoms shrivel. Then I found out that the plant was stressed with vine borers at the base. Suggest confirming that the plant is healthy.

That's a scary thought... I will check them tomorrow morning. Thanks!

I wouldn't try growing Butternut so far north. They require more warmth than the Peops or Maximas. I can grown them down here in Western Oregon and have a fine tasty crop. But I cannot fully ripen them with a hard shell needed for long term storage. Freezing only. I would think it would be worse for your climate, but maybe you get more warmth and less clouds, I don't know.
I would recommend growing Delicatas. They're a Pepo and ripen in a quite timely manner up north. I have found that they do store quite well too, just not quite as long as a well-finished Maxima.

Ah thanks for the suggestion! Judging by the size of the fruits at the moment, I definitely will have to consider a different type of squash next year.

By the way, I checked the roots this morning and they seemed rather healthy. Keeping my fingers crossed!