Question about planting

[H. Ellenburg]

I would like to know if I can plant cucumbers, squash, and cantalopes in the same field without their cross pollinating, i.e. without the cantalope tasting like squash, etc. Thanks for any help I can get. Harold

[FarmersDaughter]

Yes, you can plant them in the same field if you are just asking about this year's crop. This is not a technical explanation, but in simple terms, cross pollination shows up in the seeds. If you plant two different varieties of squash in close proximity, this year's crop will taste and look just like they are supposed to. But if you save the seeds from those squash and replant them next year, there's no telling what kind of squash you'll end up with as it will possibly be a cross of the two planted from this year.

Corn is an example of a plant where we eat the seed, so two different varieties planted close to each other this year, could result in a combination of the two this year. For instance, one year I planted a yellow sweet corn variety too close to a red variety of corn. I ended up with a pinkish colored corn. Learned my lesson on sticking to suggested distances!

Someone else can give you a more detailed, scientific response, but I hope what I've said helps you.

[ksfarmer]

Originally Posted by FarmersDaughter

Yes, you can plant them in the same field if you are just asking about this year's crop. This is not a technical explanation, but in simple terms, cross pollination shows up in the seeds. If you plant two different varieties of squash in close proximity, this year's crop will taste and look just like they are supposed to. But if you save the seeds from those squash and replant them next year, there's no telling what kind of squash you'll end up with as it will possibly be a cross of the two planted from this year.

Corn is an example of a plant where we eat the seed, so two different varieties planted close to each other this year, could result in a combination of the two this year. For instance, one year I planted a yellow sweet corn variety too close to a red variety of corn. I ended up with a pinkish colored corn. Learned my lesson on sticking to suggested distances!

Someone else can give you a more detailed, scientific response, but I hope what I've said helps you.

What she said. There are those who will argue, but, there is no effect on this years production, only on the genetics of seed if you save it for next year.

[Txsteader]

I agree that it won't affect this year's crops.

But, I've read conflicting reports about whether or not cukes, squash and melons can cross pollinate, most saying that they will not (for seed-saving purposes).

True or no (they won't X pollinate)?

[ksfarmer]

[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. ]

The above information was taken from an article by Linda Naeve, Department of Horticulture a, Iowa State University. Very helpful article at: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/node/981

[Backfourty,MI.]

I plant all my vining things like cucumbers, squash, cantalope & wtermelons in the same garden area & have never had a problem but I also don't save any of the seeds to plant later.

[Harry Chickpea]

"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. ]

The above information was taken from an article by Linda Naeve, Department of Horticulture a, Iowa State University. "

I wonder how she would explain the volunteer squash I had in Florida that tasted like watermelon.