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Bethlehem CT

My brother in law is having a competition with a co-worker on who can grow the biggest buttercup squash this year. He has asked me for help because he knows I grow giant pumpkins. I gave him some cultural advice that may help him. (basically just giant pumpkin growing techniques)

What I am wondering is, does anyone know of a strain of buttercup that grows larger than the standard burgess strain. Maybe one of you has a homegrown seed or a suggestion that would be of help to him. Thank You.
John

2/19/2008 9:33:20 AM

Indianapolis,Indiana

just curious about how big are these buttercup squashes known to get?

2/19/2008 11:03:36 AM

Cincinnati,OH

Buttercup is C. Maxima so try to cross it with AG squash.

2/19/2008 3:54:51 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Look out...1000# buttercup squash!!!! John, hang onto yer hat!!! John, lots of odd type C. Maxima crosses have been made in the past...sounds like you are on the road to a championship in '09!!! Hope someone else has previously done this and offers you some seeds!!! If not, prbly the earliest "wait til next year" ever seen!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

2/19/2008 8:08:48 PM

Cincinnati,OH

If your growing both buttercup and ag squash what do have to lose by crossing them ? I put out a lead for that cross but I really don't think it's been done.

2/19/2008 10:45:09 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

A trick I do with anything I want to grow big. greatsoil, fert, extra room. Treat it like a giant pumpkin.

good luck this yr.

2/20/2008 11:26:58 AM

Bethlehem CT

Thanks for the replies everyone, It looks like I may have to do some funky breeding. Last year I grew a seed from one of my 2,005 open pollinated big max pumpkins, many of the fruit that came from it resembled huge orange buttercup squash. None of them came out green or had a pronounced turban on the blossom end. Nonetheless I think they resemble buttercups more than anything else. (There is a picture of them in my last 2,007 diary entry)
John

2/28/2008 9:25:34 AM