Topic: Cross pollination of squashes

[gavinjconway]

Hi my learned friends...

I grew a few courgettes (round, normal, patty pan and Lebanese) and also some acorn squash "Honey Bear" all withing a space of 4x3mt.. Do you think that the Acorn Type would cross pollinate with courgette / marrow types? I want to collect some Acorn squash seeds but am scared of x pollination..

[RenishawPhil]

I would say definately a strong case of cross pollination

[Deb P]

Squash are notoriously promiscuous, if they don't cross with anything you are growing, they will find something miles away! I once saved seeds from a pink banana squash, grew the seeds the next year and they were large yellow melon type things!

[gavinjconway]

Ok I guess I'll toss the seeds out that I kept... Thanks for the replies..

[Toshofthe Wuffingas]

Too late for this year but there are techniques for hand pollinating squashes and tying the flower shut.

[Digeroo]

I have had some interesting things pop up.  I have some very pretty  green pumpkins with a dark green check pattern come up as weeds.  Certainly had nothing like them last year.  Thought they were Kamo Kamo.  Had a huge prize winning marrow a few years ago.   Did not know it was there until I tripped over it. 

[antipodes]

I am taking a chance with the Pink Bananas I grew this year, as they were set before all the other pumpkin/squash types so I am hoping that the cross pollination may have been avoided. They are brilliant, love the flavour, and there were loads of seeds...