Is this a melon, a squash or what?

Farmette · September 25, 2012

I had what I thought was an extra Uncle Dave's squash seedling that I planted in my flower garden. It grew along the ground and up into a Burning Bush. The vines has grown out the top of the bush and is hanging over the front. Much to my surprise there is a football shaped squash, melon or ? growing in the branches of the bush. Last yr I saved seed from an Uncle Dave's grown by a friend. I would imagine this could be a crossed seed, but I don't think she grew anything that looks anything like this in color or shape. Uncle Dave is a dark green buttercup, so shape and color here are wrong. Does anyone have an insight as to what this might be....I am leaving it on the vine until the tendrils dry up. It is about 12 inches long.
Thanks!

Tormato · September 25, 2012

To me, the leaves look too large, and without enough veins showing, to be a melon. Gonna save seeds?

Tormato

Farmette · September 26, 2012

That's what I thought about the leaves too...my melon leaves were much smaller and this has one to two vines compared to the melons which had a central vine with several growing out of the left and right sides. Skin is hard and seems to be close to the color of a Blue Hubbard squash. I'll try to remember to post pictures when I cut it open and yes I'll save seeds.

dustdevil · September 26, 2012

That's one smart squash cross...it found a shady place to wait out the summer heatwave!

Farmette · September 27, 2012

Yes, its quite the hit around here. Especially now when the leaves of the burning bush are turning red....I'll leave it in its little nook and take a picture of it after the leaves are completely red...somewhat Christmasy with the green squash...

The Future · September 28, 2012

Looks like a cross, maxima.

October 1, 2012

I believe it is a melon. The vine leafs are very similar to my Armenian cucumber plant from last year. The Armenian produces long, ridged cucumbers in moderate to cool weather, but when the weather becomes hot, it produces melons weighing up to ten pounds in my garden. I believe cucumbers are members of the melon family and often find one in the fall that was hiding when I was harvesting. They are usually very large with yellow skin and taste similar to musk melon.

Ted

September 28, 2012	#6
The Future Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bermuda Posts: 364	Looks like a cross, maxima. __________________ Wise selfishness is taking care of everyone else so that they don't bring harm to you.

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September 25, 2012	#2
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	To me, the leaves look too large, and without enough veins showing, to be a melon. Gonna save seeds? Tormato

September 26, 2012	#3
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	That's what I thought about the leaves too...my melon leaves were much smaller and this has one to two vines compared to the melons which had a central vine with several growing out of the left and right sides. Skin is hard and seems to be close to the color of a Blue Hubbard squash. I'll try to remember to post pictures when I cut it open and yes I'll save seeds.

September 26, 2012	#4
dustdevil Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: WI, USA Zone4 Posts: 1,887	That's one smart squash cross...it found a shady place to wait out the summer heatwave!

September 27, 2012	#5
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	Yes, its quite the hit around here. Especially now when the leaves of the burning bush are turning red....I'll leave it in its little nook and take a picture of it after the leaves are completely red...somewhat Christmasy with the green squash...

October 1, 2012	#7
tedln Guest Posts: n/a	I believe it is a melon. The vine leafs are very similar to my Armenian cucumber plant from last year. The Armenian produces long, ridged cucumbers in moderate to cool weather, but when the weather becomes hot, it produces melons weighing up to ten pounds in my garden. I believe cucumbers are members of the melon family and often find one in the fall that was hiding when I was harvesting. They are usually very large with yellow skin and taste similar to musk melon. Ted