Butternut Squash

[sunflower76]

Will the seeds come true to type from a butternut squash?

I have saved them and will plant but Im wondering whether to buy a packet of (very expensive) sedds too.

[sunflower76]

[Paulines7]

I grew some a few years back from a Supermarket butternut squash and they grew true to type.  I am doing the same this year too.

[Jesse]

my supermarket saved ones we fine as well :)

[Debs]

I will try this also.

Last years attempt produced buternut squash fit for thumbelina or the Borrowers.

They were miniature to say the least ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

If it's supermarket stuff it was probably grown in the middle of field of a single variety, and there must be a very good chance that it'll breed true. If it's a few plants on an allotment that would be a different story. I'm planning to hand-pollinate an odd flower this summer and do it properly.

[supersprout]

Seed Savers packets say that x-pollination can only be avoided if the nearest different squash is 1/4 mile away (that's a US mile). Like the previous post, I will be helping nature along a bit this year with the paintbrush to try to get true seed ;D

[Curryandchips]

Be aware Sarah, that even with a paintbrush, you may not got true seed, as the bees may have got there first ! However, you are moving the odds in your favour.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Going by information from the Real Seed Catalogue (I haven't tried it yet), you need to bag both male and female flowers just before they open. The ends of old tights apparently work well. Once the flowers open, pick the male flower  and use it to pollinate ther female. Bag the female again. Mark the particular fruit, and keep for a month after it's fully ripe, by which time the seeds will be ripe. That should ensure pure-bred seed.

[supersprout]

Right-oh RB, it's tights for me squash this year  8) results available from next!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Same here; I'll definitely be trying it.

[jennym]

What a simple idea Robert, will try that too !

[ellkebe]

Will be trying that!  Can someone just remind me which are the male and which the female squash flowers? :-[

Also, does anyone just go ahead and plant seeds from allotment pumpkins/squashes anyway?  Are the results usually basically fine, or can some of the crosses result in 'yuckiness'?

[Curryandchips]

The male flowers are formed straight off the stem. The female flowers have a swollen stem, which will eventually form the fruit. I cannot recall the correct botanical terms for these items.

[ellkebe]

That rings a bell from last year.  Thanks Curry.