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Antwerp, Belgium

Hi,

Completely new at growing gourds, I have (maybe a very stupid) question....

Can gourds pollinate pumpkins or otherwise? I know they're close family but I was wondering because their first name is different(lagenaria/cucurbita)...

If I am correctly informed, they also get pollinated at different times(day/night).

Thanks in advance for any reaction!!

3/21/2019 1:19:41 PM

President - GPC

Since they have a similar flowering habit, bloom about the same time, and are members of the same plant family, it is logical that gardeners might assume that squash, melons, and cucumbers will cross-pollinate. Fortunately, however, this is not true. The female flowers of each crop can be fertilized only by pollen from male flowers of the same species. Cross pollination, however, can occur between varieties within a species. Cross pollination can be seen in the squashes and pumpkins. Summer squash, pumpkins, gourds, and some types of winter squash belong to the same plant species Cucurbita pepo. All species members may cross with one another. Thus, an acorn squash will cross pollinate with a zucchini or a miniature gourd. However, muskmelon (Cucumis melo) and cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) belong to different species and will not cross with each other or members of the Cucurbita genus.

3/21/2019 1:25:47 PM

President - GPC

When crosses occur between members of the same species, we do not see the effect of the cross the first year. However, if the seeds are saved and planted, the plants will produce fruit that will be different from either of the parents. Once in a while, gardeners will allow a chance seedling to grow in their garden. The fruit that sets on may appear quite unusual. Occasionally one can guess what the parents were by looking at the fruit and/or remembering what was planted in that area of the garden the previous year. For example, a pumpkin-shaped fruit with greenish bumps on it may suggest a parentage of pumpkin and green-warted gourd.

3/21/2019 1:26:30 PM

President - GPC

This is why we cover the flowers of both the male and female flowers for pure crosses for future generations of fruits.

3/21/2019 1:27:22 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Short Answer: No
Bushel Gourds= Lagenaria
Pumpkins= Cucurbita

3/21/2019 1:35:53 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

For Cucurbita see my diary. I have posted a chart what readily crosses

3/21/2019 1:40:03 PM

On a cliff in the desert

I am going to have fun this season crossing a turban squash and cinderella pumpkin with an AG ( Marley UOW 647 (2624XSelf). All are in the C. Maxima family.

3/21/2019 1:47:14 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Don't pay any attention to my post in my diary.

3/21/2019 7:53:36 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

That chart is very wrong

3/21/2019 7:57:48 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The correct chart is up

3/21/2019 8:01:44 PM

Antwerp, Belgium

The cucurbita-lagenaria difference also made it quite doubtful to me.

Thanks to all of you for all the good advice!!

Another one: somebody told me the lagenaria seed likes to have a cold period, like in the fridge or something.

Anyone of you have experience with that?

3/22/2019 12:42:50 PM

Bethlehem CT

I have never heard that they need cold stratification. They seem to germinate just fine on their own. They have a thick seed coat and some growers clip the little ears off the seeds to let the seed take in water and get the process started.

5/14/2019 7:14:53 PM

Guelph, Ontario

Do not need a cold period.

5/16/2019 9:15:18 AM

Guelph, Ontario

This year I experimented with totally removing seed coat. Seeds soaked in water for a couple of hours. Germinated in paper towel in baggie in warmth in 1-2 days.

5/17/2019 7:57:17 AM