Butternut squash experiment:

**quark1** · 08-10-2008, 04:33 PM

I know there is a real possibility that seed retained from garden produce may not run true unless isolated in some way with bags prior to and following hand pollination - but logic tells me that this may not be quite so varied with commercially grown stuff.

Simply because farmers are going to be growing fields of the stuff rather than an odd plant or two for family use. Therefore I'm thinking that pollination is more likely to be from a kindred plant and therefore 'truer' - but perhaps not entirely perfect to the original.

I also saved some so will be doing the same next year.

**BrideXIII** · 08-10-2008, 04:36 PM

well i am at least pleased with the germination , that can always be a bit dodgy, and it's bound to turn out to be some sort of squash isn't it? i mean it won't turn into a tomato surely.

**Comfreyfan** · 08-10-2008, 06:12 PM

That was exactly what I thought last year - it'll be a squash of some sort. They germinated really quickly and grew into beautiful plants but didn't set any fruit until very recently, so I don't think we're going to get very far now. They're butternut shape - but only a couple of inches long! I thought maybe they were originally grown somewhere warmer!

**BrideXIII** · 08-10-2008, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by Comfreyfan View Post

That was exactly what I thought last year - it'll be a squash of some sort. They germinated really quickly and grew into beautiful plants but didn't set any fruit until very recently, so I don't think we're going to get very far now. They're butternut shape - but only a couple of inches long! I thought maybe they were originally grown somewhere warmer!

when did you plant them?

seems they may need a pretty long season , i'll definately try to keep these ones going and overwinter them so they can go out early.
but hey, at least yours set fruit! that has to be good, and if the ripen let us know if they taste of anything nice.

**Alison** · 08-10-2008, 07:34 PM

I've got quite a good crop off squash seeds planted in April but I do know that they are ones which are particularly suitable for the UK in that they only need a short season. Worth a try at overwintering, however they do grow VERY big so you'll have to find somewhere with plenty of space. Might be more sucessful sowing late winter but let us know how you get on.

**Comfreyfan** · 08-10-2008, 07:42 PM

I sowed them late in March and planted them out in May, they grew very quickly and were quite large plants. They went wild - growing all over the place, but they only had male flowers until about a month ago. I'll leave them and see if anything happens (pretty much my way of gardening anyway!).

**BrideXIII** · 08-10-2008, 07:44 PM

Originally posted by Comfreyfan View Post

I sowed them late in March and planted them out in May, they grew very quickly and were quite large plants. They went wild - growing all over the place, but they only had male flowers until about a month ago. I'll leave them and see if anything happens (pretty much my way of gardening anyway!).

well good luck with them, and let me know how they get on.

**lottie dolly** · 08-10-2008, 07:58 PM

i was tolled that with squash seeds,let the seed alone for a year,then sow it year after,then you get more female flowers,apparently it tricks the seed into thinking oh my word i had better reproduce,so hence more female,other wise as we all know,you get a lot of males showing off,hope it makes some sence to you.as regards to using seeds from supermarket ones,they are fine,my son has done this last 2 years,and got good specimens,but like has already been said,is no good saving seeds from them,this we have done,and we not like the outcome,we grow different varieties in the same patch,i am ordering new seeds for next year,

**BrideXIII** · 08-10-2008, 08:51 PM

well i have plenty of seeds, so If I plant one lot this year, one next year, and in the meantime buy anoth Bsquash, that should keep it going.
although I have some F1 seeds as well for next season.
I'ts all part of the fun

**Two_Sheds** · 09-10-2008, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by BrideXIII View Post

I did a germination test anyway and am pleased with the results, of six seeds planted on the 3/10, 4 are already have shoots breaking through this morning, so thats five days!

I shall try to bring these on as far as I can and overwinter them

good luck.

Squash are tender, they won't tolerate any cold at all.

**jackie j** · 09-10-2008, 08:11 AM

I picked my second squash yesterday but I bought them as plants but next year I am going to try from seed. I have had lots of little ones but they have rotted, yesterday I cut them back to allow as much light as possible for the remaining ones to help them ripen and possibly grow. Will just see how it goes nothing ventured nothing gained as they say.

**rustylady** · 09-10-2008, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by BrideXIII View Post

Well I love butternut squash, so I saved some seeds from a shop bought for growing next year.

I did a germination test anyway and am pleased with the results, of six seeds planted on the 3/10, 4 are already have shoots breaking through this morning, so thats five days!

I shall try to bring these on as far as I can and overwinter them.

You really are pushing your luck!! By all means save seeds, but don't sow them until March/April next year. They won't overwinter, they're really tender.

**BrideXIII** · 09-10-2008, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by rustylady View Post

You really are pushing your luck!! By all means save seeds, but don't sow them until March/April next year. They won't overwinter, they're really tender.

the seeds where only planted to test germination, as they were from a shop bought.
I shan't plant the real ones for next season until the spring.
I like to test germination of saved seeds before offering to swap, or wasting time on them myself.

**lynda66** · 09-10-2008, 07:22 PM

i planted ,my squash at the beginning of june, no sign of any butternuts yet, though i have had some flowers, the patty pan squash though are romping away with loads of fruits. might be a better option if we have the same kind of crappy weather next year.

I saved some galia melon seeds from a shop fruit and the ones i planted have all grown, but same again, planted too late, and only just starting to flower.

all my courgettes, pumpkins melons and squash are all in the same bed, so i'm dying to save some seeds, and see what grows next year

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