Topic: One for Jeannine.

[Rob the rake]

I'm trying to decide which of my squashes to grow this year, but I'd like to save the seed if possible, so it would be nice to know what families they are in. Can you help, please, me dear? Here's the list;

Delicata (bush)
Uchiki Kuri
Crown Prince
Rolet Gem
Butternut
Patty Pan, Pattison's Orange
Golden hubbard
Summer Crookneck
Courgette, Romanesco
Acorn
Sweet Dumpling
Pumpkin, Small sugar

[GrannieAnnie]

With all those varieties how will you know they haven't cross-pollinated, or do you hand-pollinate and bag the flowers?

[Suzanne]

As you say one for Jeannine. But I will attempt the ones I know and Jeannine can give you the proper answer later.   :)

Crown Prince = c.maxima
Courgettes, summer crookneck and pattipans = c.pepo

and I think Butternuts are c.moschata.

I do have a list for the rest but at home.

 

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

I saved seed from Spaghetti squash a couple of years ago. It had crossed with a courgette and I ended up with something that was neither one nor the other

[Suzanne]

I think that is because they are both c.pepo

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

funny thing was - the "courgettis" came out round, and the ones I'd grown the previous year were long and thin

[Jeannine]

Hi,

Delicata..pepo
Kuri...maxima
Crown Prince...maxima
Gem...pepo
Hubbard...maxima
Summer Crookneck...pepo
Courgette...pepo
Acorn...pepo
Dumpling...pepo
Small Sugar...pepo

XX Jeannine

[Suzanne]

Thank goodness I got some of them right, after following your advice on the groups last year, and as I am the only one growing winter squash on either of my allotments I am going to try and grow one of each variety so I can save seed. The book you recommended on one of the threads - The Compleat Squash - is a god send. 

[Rob the rake]

With all those varieties how will you know they haven't cross-pollinated, or do you hand-pollinate and bag the flowers?

It looks like I'll have to, GA, if I want to save seed and grow more than 2 or 3 types. I suppose you only need to bag one or two flowers and tag them.
I'll not be growing them all mind, just a selection.

Thanks, everyone. :)

[Jeannine]

A few tips, if anyone is trying this for the first time.

If you are going to save seed and bag flowers, squash pollen goes bad very quickly, so bag  the male and female flowers you are going to use in the evening so the bees can't get in the following morning, then go to the plants the very next morning, pollinate, then  re bag the female flowers.  Tie a colored tape to the stem so you won't forget which one you hand pollinated, keeping it loose to allow for growth.Keep an eye on it and remove the bag when it is obvious the flower has been pollinated. I find the best bags are the ones I stitch with row cover as they are light and safe, but you can tape the flowers shut too.

I rarely save my own seeds as I grow too many varieties and it becomes a bother, but I do sometimes if it is something that is hard to get hold.

If you are growing squash from the four different families, 1 from each, you don't need to bag, but bear in mind you need to be away from other gardeners squash but at least 1/4 mile to be sure.

This is just a brief bit of info, if anyone needs any more help, I ma happy to share what I can.

The book I suggested to Suzanne is worth a good read if you are truly interested in squash, expensive but great. Some of it is already getting out of date  with varieties which is inevitable, but it is a fantastic book. Try the library for a free read.

XX Jeannine

[Rob the rake]

Thanks again Jeannine. :) I think I'll have to order the book, judging on the feedback .
There's loads of squash info just a couple of clicks away, but I'd much rather have a book in my hand.

[Suzanne]

Just to let you know I bought The Compleat Squash for £12.99 from Amazon, I would assume you can still get it for about that price.