From

Location

Message

Date Posted

South Carolina

This is my third year growing giant pumpkins, and I wanted to try to grow giant squashes also. I have one that is just at 100 lbs. I was just wondering if the squash is supposed to turn orange also. I have it planted approx. 100 yards away from the giant pumpkins. I know that they are closely related and can cross pollinate. I guess what I want to know is that if the squash turns orange is it considered a squash or a pumpkin.

7/27/2001 11:41:29 AM

Connecticut

It is considered a pumpkin when it is over 50 % yellow to orange and yes they can cross since pumpkins are half squash anyway.

7/27/2001 12:11:57 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

They will cross but the pumpkin genectics will not show up until next year! the genectics are in the seeds, and since you planted squash then squash you shall have.

Glenn Peters

7/27/2001 1:04:04 PM

Connecticut

I couldn't of said it better!

7/27/2001 1:16:12 PM

Long Island,New York

Hold on there guys....."since you planted squash, squash you will have"---if that were only true Glenn Peters !!Even Howard Dill doesn't guarantee green for color on his Show King variety of squash.(read the package !). Show King and "the giant pumpkins" are all c.maxima and do cross. "the giant pumpkins" are just giant squash that have less than 30-35% green blue, or grey color....they can be white-yellow-creamy-orange-or red, but if they are more than 30% green-grey-blue, you likely have a squash. Unfortunately this % rule varies from area to area,judge to judge (and if your in Ohio---WATCH OUT !).Bottom line is----they are the same fruit with different names for marketing purposes.If the giant squash is orange or similar color its a "pumpkin(a slang term)" if its more than 30-35% grey green blue, then its a squash.These are contest guidelines for the WPC and GPC....agricultural fairs (county fairs etc) treat them botanically as squash even if they're orange.
Confused? So is everyone else !...............Glenn A.

7/27/2001 6:27:52 PM