As I become more experienced and knowledgeable in the areas of gardening and raising children, I have observed that they have something in common - there is a lot of folklore and half-truths about each that has been passed down from one generation to the next. For both, the folklore may come in the form of problem diagnosis, treatment, or simple tips on growing (or child-rearing) techniques.

Some of the gardening folklore actually has some factual or logical basis. One example has to do with members of the cucurbit family - squash, melons, pumpkins, and cucumbers. Have you ever heard this gardening tip: "never plant cucumbers next to squash or melons because they will cross pollinate and the fruit will be off-tasting"? Although it may sound logical, this is not true for reasons that relate to the process of pollination and fertilization. A review of the lesson on the "birds and the bees" may be helpful in understanding flowering, pollination, and fruit development in cucurbits.

Cucurbits have a flowering habit which is quite unique among the vegetable crops. They are "monoecious", which means they produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The flowers are found in the axils of the leaves. The flowers can be easily distinguished from each other as the female flowers have small, immature fruits at their bases. In order for fruit set to occur, pollen from the male flower must be transferred to the female flower. Honeybees are the principal means by which pollen is transferred from the male flower to the female flower. (The part of the lesson about "bees".)

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. An example of incompatibility can also be seen in the animal kingdom. Cardinals cannot mate with blue jays. (The part of the lesson about the "birds").

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.

As you can see, gardeners with a small plot need not worry about cross pollination when planting cucurbits in their garden. Poorly flavored melons or cucumbers are usually due to unfavorable soil or weather conditions, not the result of cross-pollination.

This article originally appeared in the August 23, 1996 issue, p. 148.
by Linda Naeve, Department of Horticulture

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I planted my watermellons and cucumbers together and half of my cucumbers are round.

Quoted:
Feral, don't know what to tell you...I planted squash and  cucumbers from packaged seeds that I bought at Home Depot...wives tale or not...I've got squacumber!

Quoted:







Ferry Morse seed? (Just wondering).

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My zucchini from Ferry Morse seed had a 20 percent germination rate.  TWENTY PERCENT.

Ferry Morse has been a gardening staple for generations.  I hate to see this lack of quality control.

Quoted:
And you know what?  THat was the "PREMIUM" Ferry Morse seeds.  TWENTY EFFIN PERCENT!!!!!

Quoted:


Ferry Morse seed?  (Just wondering).

Quoted:
so what did that thing look like when you cut it open? taste?