Can cukes, squash and zucchini cross pollinate?

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growingup Tucson, AZ Apr 08, 2008

Question pretty much asks it all?

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Apr 08, 2008

Squash pollinate readily among the same species. C. pepos which include crooknecks, scallops straightnecks, zucchini, acorn, delicata, and most Halloween type pumpkins cross easily. There have been some inter species crosses, primarily C. moshata with C. maxima, but usually they are helped along by man's intervention. Cucumbers ( Cucumis sativus) only cross with other cucumbers. The Armenian type cuke is actually a melon (C. melo) and will cross with cantaloupes , honeydews and the like.

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Apr 08, 2008

Where do watermelons fit into the scheme, Farmerdill? I'm not planning on saving seed this year, but eventually I hope to, and I'm trying to learn about things like planting distances and such.

Post #4777507
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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Apr 08, 2008

Watermelons and citrons ( Citrullus lanatus) cross with in the species. Don't know of any inter- species croses with watermelons.

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Apr 08, 2008

Okay, thanks!

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growingup Tucson, AZ Apr 10, 2008

Great thanks. So planting butternut squash and zucchinis next to each other is a no no? I am training them up a lattice, but they'll still mix right?

Post #4787486
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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Apr 10, 2008

Growingup, I think they're all insect-pollinated, so if bees can fly between them, then yes they'll mix. Not a problem for this year's crop, only a problem if you're going to save seeds for next year.

Post #4787518
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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Apr 10, 2008

Butternuts are C. moschata. Zucchini are C. pepo. I have never had a C. pepo cross with a C. moschata. While it is theoretically possible, I have never seen any C. moschata - C. pepo crosses. And it would certainly be nice if someone did get a cross where the zucchini would have the SVB resistant vine of the butternut.

Post #4788060
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