[Marcella]

The one question was when do you use cider vinegar and white vinegar in water bath canning?

Another question is, this Tromboncino Squash plant is within 6 inches of being four feet tall, that is the top of the stand for it. It's tendrils have latched onto those plastic rings and it is solid strong in there.

How tall does squash get before they produce flowers and squash? There is no hint of flowers on it yet. It is a squash so I would think it should behave as most squash plants. Oh, I remember, you don't grow squash. Darn.

Could any of you who grow squash give me some idea when to expect flowers on this squash?

[greeneyes]

Answer: Whenever you are canning stuff that doesn’t have enough acidity for water bath canning, you need to add something to increase the acidity.

For most recipes this is Vinegar, (White or Apple Cider)or bottled lemon juice (usually for tomatoes). I use white or apple cider more or less interchangeably-whatever I happen to have on hand.

There are subtle differences in taste with the 2 vinegars, and of course the liquid will be a different color: so either go by the recipes in the Ball Book, or by your own preference.

[Ellendra]

How tall does squash get before they produce flowers and squash?

My T squash usually starts forming flowers when the vines are around 5-6 feet long, but doesn't start setting fruit until around 7-8 feet. It does its "I'm a zuchinni and you can't keep up with me" thing at about 12-25 feet. At that point I start marking the ones with the fattest bulbs to let ripen into winter squash. If the bulb on the end is skinny, it means that one was poorly pollinated, and there's a chance that the plant might abort that fruit.