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Ohio

Planted 25-30 field pumpkin plants. Harvesting now and 2/3 are the normal shaped pumpkins, then the other 1/3 are a longer shape. Random throughout patch. Looks almost like a cross between zucchini & pumpkin. Is that possible? Or what else might have cause it. They were within 25’ - 50’ of zucchini plants & giant pumpkins.

9/30/2021 12:07:01 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Field pumpkins and zucchini both belong in the species Cucurbita pepo (summer squash). Different varieties of c. pepo can usually be cross pollinated with each other. The effects of the cross pollination would only show up in the field pumpkins offspring though, not the actual pumpkins themselves.

Were the pumpkin seeds the generic store bought variety? I find that those seeds can sometimes produce odd characteristics.

9/30/2021 3:20:42 PM

Ohio

Seeds were saved from previous year pumpkins.

9/30/2021 3:42:06 PM

Netherlands

Never save seeds from open pollinated crosses. Best is to hand pollinate a few FPs and mark them so you know which ones they were when you harvest them.

10/1/2021 5:04:53 AM

Sharon, MA

Good point Brad.

10/1/2021 9:12:58 AM

Syracuse, NY

...and even THOSE pollinations need to be SERIOUSLY closed/controlled ones. No vague nor 'murky' techniques allowed if the desired result is just that. Do not rely on a paper bag or even a paper cup to isolate the female NOR the male flowers;
>>>I had a cross to be made in about 2004 wherein a cucumber beetle was in the female flower on Pollination Morning; They can be sneaky and SEE and SMELL the flowers, as their species depends on it.
Hence, although I have not used cups, I still and will always use nylon mesh baggies (called 'Organza Bags', that are used at wedding receptions for candy/micro champagne bottles on the tables) for the females and the males get brought into my garage at night, cut to length & put into labeled, watered plastic cups that are placed under 1/2-gallon or so plastic jugs with anything heavy on top of that or them which = no chance of any insectual (lol) interference. Plenty more to it, but enough for now. I feel as though I'm out there right now. Wish it was back then! --- eg
Here's an example website, and I think 4" X 6" is what I have;
The variety of sizes intrigued me:

https://www.papermart.com/p/standard-flat-organza-bags/

10/2/2021 12:41:35 AM

Colorado

If theres a cross with zucchini youll have some bush shaped plants on those zucchini daddy seeds.

10/2/2021 6:45:22 PM