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Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Are they just as attracted to the giant squash as the AG? I know that AG are really squash, but I am hoping that they just don't like the giant greens as much. That would save me some headaches.

10/25/2007 9:59:43 AM

Long Island,New York

Lol

10/25/2007 2:13:55 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Yeah, yeah. I know. I am still growing 4 AG, but also 2 giant greens, and was just hoping. Sigh. Though I guess they didnt really cause me any problems this past year.

10/25/2007 3:31:17 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

...and they do leave some other varieties of squash alone, so it was not impossible.

10/25/2007 3:32:27 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Long winter is right...

10/25/2007 3:33:12 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The Giant Squash and Giant pumpkin are the same plant with different offspring traits. That is why G was laughing at you..Squash can be tricky to pollinate also,

11/7/2007 9:21:32 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Yeah, I know. With a name like squash vine borer, it makes sense. LOL. As for the pollination, I have heard that. Any special tricks?

11/7/2007 11:17:43 PM

Rocky-r@stny.rr.com

i LIKE TO PUT ON A GRASS SKIRT AND DO THE hULA DANCE WHILE TRYING TO POLLINATE SQUASH... i FIND IT HELPS..

11/8/2007 6:49:17 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

I guess the squash figure you wont take the hula skirt off until the pollinations take? LOL. I can't say I wouldn't do it , if it helped the pollination succeed.

11/8/2007 9:31:57 AM

Long Island,New York

Squash in general are NOT difficult to pollinate. The problem is that the squash line that everyone choses to grow has issues statistically with pollination. It also has issues with stem cuts across the grain when the fruit has yet to land on the ground, it has issues with very tall leaf stalks, and generally presents a very open and airy plant (which looks less robust and anemic when grown along more densely foliated plants) which may present more weed issues as the ground is not quite so shaded out. The 900Lyons line from 1994 and its crossed lines (848MacKenzie) and sib line(895Hester)(same line in my opinion) is the one chosen 95% of the time to grow. I would venture to say if that was a pumpkin line with all those characteristics it would get very little play.
Once you get around those issues, it can grow some marvelous fruits...someone need to bite the bullet and grow some of the non-lyons outcrosses. I'm sure theres biggies in there somewhere. That said---I'll deal with the "issues" and grow another 848MacKenzie next year...its "that" good !!.........G

11/8/2007 9:55:34 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Yeah LI, I am growing an 848 next year too. So many top squash have been grown from the 848.

Do you suggest supporting the fruit until it slowly makes its way to the ground so it does not split the stem?

11/8/2007 10:44:57 AM

Netherlands

I'm in total agreement with Glenn. I was planning on chiming in earlier but hoped Glenn would do it for me as he has much more knowledge on the matter than I do.

Next year I hope to cross the 1234* (3rd generation 848) with quite a different line to possibly get more colour into the 848 and hopefully relieve some of the pollination problems. It is difficult to find squash seeds without the 900 Lyons in there somewhere.

At the moment I am looking at the 793 Olsen 05* which has some 900 genes in it, but quite a few that are not. The 793* produced one of the darkest green big squashes ever recorded, the former European champion 1040 Van Rompaey 06*. The 1040 has also produced dark fruit.

Another Dutch grower plans on crossing the 1234* with the 1040*. The 1040* unfortunately has a lot more 900 Lyons in it, but should help the colour.

11/8/2007 11:01:46 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Yeah, I have a 793 and a 1040.6. Am trying to decide which to grow as my second. I will definitely be crossing the 2 squash that I grow both ways.

Brad and LI, what do you g think is preferrable? 848 x 1040.6 or 848 x 793.

Either way, I will share some of the seeds I get from the fruit with both of you guys supposing next season is a success.

11/8/2007 12:54:18 PM

Netherlands

848 x 793. Less 900 in the 793 as the 1040 was pollinated by a 881 Beauchemin which is almost entirely 900. The 793 is proven but the 1040 isn't yet.

11/8/2007 1:31:22 PM