cross-pollinating squash
I was intending to grow up at least three different types of squash this spring but I have read that they are likely to cross pollinate. what exactly does this mean in terms of the fruit, will my squash end up as a mix of varieties?
Posted
by: Susan Davis
(1 point)
Posted: March 3, 2013
Answers
Hi Susan,
They are likely to cross pollinate, but you will not see the effects of this in the fruit that your plants produce this coming season - they will grow as they are described for each variety. The new genetic material of a different variety will be incorporated into the offspring (seeds) within the fruit. If you were to save and plant these seeds the following year, you would wind up with a different type of fruit than either of the parents. This has happened to me a few times when I let "volunteer" squash plants grow from seeds that were left in the garden due to rotting fruits from the last crop. I end up with very interesting combinations, but usually they do not taste as good as their parents.
They are likely to cross pollinate, but you will not see the effects of this in the fruit that your plants produce this coming season - they will grow as they are described for each variety. The new genetic material of a different variety will be incorporated into the offspring (seeds) within the fruit. If you were to save and plant these seeds the following year, you would wind up with a different type of fruit than either of the parents. This has happened to me a few times when I let "volunteer" squash plants grow from seeds that were left in the garden due to rotting fruits from the last crop. I end up with very interesting combinations, but usually they do not taste as good as their parents.
Posted
by: Kerry Mauck
(58 points)
Posted: March 3, 2013
Susan Davis commented,
thanks Kerry, that is very good to know. I had not planned to collect any seed for next year, I will just start again. Very useful to know. about 11 years ago.
thanks Kerry, that is very good to know. I had not planned to collect any seed for next year, I will just start again. Very useful to know. about 11 years ago.
The fruit get their shape, color, and flavor from the mother plant. Cross-pollination only becomes a problem if you save seed, as the genetics of the seeds could be mixed.
Posted
by: Charlie B.
(5 points)
Posted: March 7, 2013
Try plant them a ways apart, especially if you're in a windy area. Also, stagger their planting time so they each begin to flower at different times (so other pollen is not around when they're flowering).
Posted
by: Cornelis
(2 points)
Posted: April 11, 2013
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