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Cross-pollination of squashes and courgettes

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  • Cross-pollination of squashes and courgettes

    I'm trying to grow several different squashes, courgettes, pumpkins etc. Will it work or will it matter if a male flower from a squash fertilises a female courgette flower? I know its important for saving seed but does it matter for edibles? Given how few flowers there are so far I may have to take desperate measures!!

  • #2
    No, it should be fine if you aren't saving for seed.

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    • #3
      Thanks Zaz I hoped that was the answer!

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      • #4
        Originally posted by zazen999 View Post
        No, it should be fine if you aren't saving for seed.
        What happens if you save the seeds - Do you get really bizarre mutants next year?

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        • #5
          yup
          .......

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          • #6
            Originally posted by taff View Post
            yup
            .......
            Now I want to save some seeds from mixtures

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            • #7
              I wouldn't bother unless you have enough room to experiment. It's like F1s, you're more likely to end up with a tasteless giant than a medium or small flav our packed beauty.

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              • #8
                I'm growing Blue Hubbard this year and two crosses. Last year my crosses were great. Best to pick them before they become too big but the huge rogue pumpkin I found at the back of the rhubarb last year made fantastic curry and soup.
                A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows

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                • #9
                  I'm having a similar problem with my butternut squashes (Avalon F1) which I've never grown before. I have lots of flowers but only the female ones are opening - I've been checking every day but the males are staying firmly shut. The only male flowers that are opening at the moment are on my cucumbers (Green Fingers). Can I pollinate the squash with the cucumber pollen?

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by sally fran View Post
                    I'm having a similar problem with my butternut squashes (Avalon F1) which I've never grown before. I have lots of flowers but only the female ones are opening - I've been checking every day but the males are staying firmly shut. The only male flowers that are opening at the moment are on my cucumbers (Green Fingers). Can I pollinate the squash with the cucumber pollen?
                    Take a male flower off your butternut and remove the petals. Hopefully you will find pollen with which you can pollinate your female flowers.

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                    • #11
                      What an exciting moment! I've just hand pollinated a Squash female with a rather forward male from elsewhere. As a reward I ate the male flower afterwards. Felt a bit like one of those spiders that devours its mate in gratitude

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