Two years ago I planted some gourd seeds and then I saved a couple of the gourds and last year I broke them open and sprinkled them in my garden. I was also growing pumpkins and zucchini. I got lots of gourds but they were all hybrid combos of pumpkins and zuccs and no normal ones. The first year I also grew pumpkins and zuccs but had only normal ones. So I'm curious - what is it about the seeds that I saved as opposed to the seeds from a packet that caused hybridization?
I'm not any sort of expert on the subject, but: Hybrid seeds from a grower are, I believe, grown and harvested under very stingent conditions. No cross pollination potential is permitted to occur. Seeds saved from these fruits and vegetables will not grow true to the parent plant. Cross pollination within the same species will also show different characteristics than the parent plants. Open pollinated, and heirloom varieties will usually grow true.
Were the new hybrids any good to eat ? It would be interesting to see what new ones you got if you have pictures. I have heard that hybrids are sterile ?
we actually didn't eat them but they were fun to carve for Halloween this pic shows pumpkins & the weird gourd/pumpkin, gourd/squash combos ( photo / image / picture from bhapimama's Garden )
Look like pumpkin,squash,zuchinni? hybrid !! I had this happen a few times as all three will cross. Good thing is sometimes the hybrids taste great !! I have never had a gourd cross with anything in my garden even though I grow them on the garden fence !! Some of my hybrids tasted similar but sweeter than squash yet not as sweet as pumpkin !! Do yourself a favor next time,,eat them.
Bhapimama, I'm feeling lazy today. There is an easy to read (but long to transcribe) treatice in Suzane Ashworth's Seed To Seed on the families of squash, mellon, cucumbers. it explains which mellon can cross pollinate with others. May I encourage you to at least borrow it from your local library?
thanks Coppice for the tip - unfortunately, it may have to wait until my life slows down a bit in a few years ... right now with 4 kids (3 of them teens) and 2 jobs, I'm lucky that I squeeze in time for the garden. not a lot of time for reading, and already have several titles in line ... guess the mystery of cross-pollination will have to continue to be so for a few more years and I'll just enjoy the magic!
