No they can't get too big. Anytime frost threatens, time to harvest it all. When the vines are dead or almost dead, harvest (as in your last photo of delicata). When the thumbnail test says the rind is hard you can harvest. Your butternuts look a bit green still, and the plants still have lots of life, so if there is minimal threat of bug or critter damage, more time on the vine would be great. Acorn will have an orange blush on one section when it is ripe. I've read that lifting delicata up off the ground on, say, a plastic coffee can lid to prevent rotting while it ripens is a good idea. Your one scrawny delicata might just be insufficient pollination. I actually disagree with some of what is in that linked article: fine to leave curing squash out doors, just not on the ground (a deck or porch is fine.) Best storage conditions for squash is around 55 and DRY(colder, 40 as they say, not necessary and can actually detract from storage and flavor. This same organization has another article that states this. They are not editing very well.). Also, I would not recommend a garage or basement -- too humid, and that causes rot. A cool bedroom is great. Also, cut or bruised butternut need not be eaten asap -- it normally heals just fine and butternut will not taste it's best until at least 2 months storage. So put the damaged squash in a separate box and watch it closely. If there are any signs of rot, then go ahead and eat it. But I have had deer bitten butternut last until the next June, no problem.

Thanks Jim!!!! I'm still really excited about it working!!! I have some news about my eyes. I went to the retinal specialist. They put 3 different types of drops in my eyes. I had to pry my eyes open so they could keep going with the drops. Blech. So he said that I have retinal deterioration. Do I have RP (retinitis pigmentosa - where you get tunnel vision and go blind). He said maybe. I asked if there's a chance I could go blind. He said that it isn't a matter of when, but that I'm probably legally blind ALREADY!!! So he's sending me (in a few months probably) for this procedure that's like an EKG for the eyes. If it shows that I'm legally blind, then I won't be able to drive anymore. This would be terrible, because I have trouble walking around where I live because of all of the inclines/declines - it's hard on my ankles, and I just got over having ankle tendinitis (a whole year of it). I love driving to the off-leash areas to take my dogs for a walk. It's so much fun. Anyways, the good news is that he said my vision will get gradually worse - but very slowly. So if I'm not legally blind yet, then I can probably drive for a few more years. Now, I'm asking for prayers that: a) I'm not legally blind b) that I can handle being legally blind if I am. Thanks everyone!! Carol

So sorry I did not post yesterday. Phone, TV and Internet down, down, down. Before it goes down again, let me see if I can get my BOUNTIFUL HARVEST package from Ruth posted. And what a package she sent!!! Ruth, you went overboard! Absoloutley wonderful!! Ruth sent me..... *A lovely note *Seeds....Moringa from two different sources, Echinacea Pow Wow Wild Berry, Rudebeckia Irish Eyes and Indian Summer, Gaillardia Goblin *Cocktail Napkins (and a napkin basket holder).....To darn funny. The napkins say, "Wine is Proof God Loves Us and Wants Us To Be Happy." And there is a black and white picture of four gals drinking wine, of course. These are classic!! *Kitchen towel......which says, "Love People Cook Them Tasty Food *Spices from Penzeys.....Salsa and Pico, Vietnamese Cinammon, Cilantro, Minced Garlic and a bag of Bay Leaves, Cinammon and Nutmeg....I did not open the bag up for freshness purposes. *Hard cover Penzys catalog and cookbook all in one, "Love People Cook Them Tasty Food"...how cool. I love Penzys!!!! Ruth, I can not thank you enough. My Bountiful Harvest from you...FANTASTIC!! Happy weekend to all! Annie

This is absolutely embarrassing. I went to DG and discovered I rated this plant in 2009! Obviously I grew it at one time. I think it died from overwatering. As I remember, it was a vibrant orange. I’m planting this new one in a different location. I knew it as CC not coral KO. Anywho, inthink it behaves just like regular red KO. @Jim Saw your rating on DG also.