Squash breeding project

[Darren Abbey]

Originally Posted by jmsieglaff

So here is the cross squash. I had to take the vines out as they were dead from powdery mildew. My plan is to ripen this on the table on our deck where the squash will receive a lot of sun (we've had very favorable powdery mildew weather lately, warm sunny days and rather cool moist nights). From what I've read I think this will let the squash mature and have viable seeds. Does/has anyone done this with squash/pumpkins?

It should work out fine, though I would take care to protect the squash from squirrels. I had a set of ripening sunflower heads go missing last year for lack of protection.

[jmsieglaff]

I stored my mature Lemon x Tatume squash in the basement for about 4 weeks and harvested the seeds. Looking forward to growing the F1 next year, as you can see I have plenty of seeds!

[joseph]

Great project. Thanks for the update. Looking forward to more next summer and the summer after.

[jmsieglaff]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing! Sounds like we both have similar projects going. So what are your pictures crosses from? The zephyr x lemon or that f1 with the other squash? I haven't grown zephyr, I'm assuming it is bush habit? One of the most important goals in my project to select for vining habit from the Tatume since I grow my summer squash vertically. I'm looking forward to growing the f1 next year, side by side both parents for comparisons. You should start a thread to document your project it would be neat to see your progress. I'd be happy to share any seed if interested I've got over 100 f1 seed.

[Tracydr]

Originally Posted by jmsieglaff

Great pictures, thanks for sharing! Sounds like we both have similar projects going. So what are your pictures crosses from? The zephyr x lemon or that f1 with the other squash? I haven't grown zephyr, I'm assuming it is bush habit? One of the most important goals in my project to select for vining habit from the Tatume since I grow my summer squash vertically. I'm looking forward to growing the f1 next year, side by side both parents for comparisons. You should start a thread to document your project it would be neat to see your progress. I'd be happy to share any seed if interested I've got over 100 f1 seed.

Have you tried Costata romanesca? Nice long vines and very dense, tasty zuchinni, but better than most zuchinni. The squash are still delicious when baseball bat size!

[jmsieglaff]

I haven't tried that squash. I recall reading conflicting information about its habit. Will it easily climb a trellis? I'll have to give those a try along side the other squash this year. Sounds like a good tasting squash. Thanks!

[jmsieglaff]

No worries about posting here, I enjoy reading the posts. It is a very nice looking squash! I hope winter comes late and your seeds mature. Good luck with your F2 growing next year! I'd love to trade but I have a small garden and wouldn't have room to grow my project and parent squash plus yours, but I would be happy to mail you some of my F1 seed, just PM your mailing address.

And yes this stuff is great. I can't wait to see the variety in the F2 stage. Your F1 gives me A lot of hope for a very tasty crop of F1 in 2015.

[jmsieglaff]

Seeds are packaged up. Just have to get stamps tomorrow, we're out. They'll be in the mail Monday if not tomorrow.

Justin

[Tracydr]

Originally Posted by jmsieglaff

I haven't tried that squash. I recall reading conflicting information about its habit. Will it easily climb a trellis? I'll have to give those a try along side the other squash this year. Sounds like a good tasting squash. Thanks!

It will climb a trellis. It has a lot of big leaves in the center like a "bush" but then it spreads with vines quite far. It is a huge plant,though.
Spaghetti squash is also c.pepo I think. Mine have always made big,viney plants.
I grew Tatume this year and ended up giving them to the chickens. Just wasn't a fan.

[jmsieglaff]

Maybe I'll try one instead of the bush zuke we grew and let the vines crawl toward the trellis. If we love the flavor it always be something to breed into my project down the line. I enjoy Tatume, we always pick it shortly after flowering and grill/roast pieces, we do like the flavor of the lemon squash a bit more though.

[jmsieglaff]

Monty, please do let me know how things go for you! I haven't started them yet. I'll sow them in cow pots around May 1 and stick them in the ground mid May. The weather is still too cool up here to be planting squash and the like.

[jmsieglaff]

Got your PM! Sounds great! Post any pictures you'd like!

Justin

[Stvrob]

Originally Posted by monty71466

Here's what I've got Justin.

Daggum! I have to grow one of them!

[jmsieglaff]

Monty, thanks for the picture! The habit it great to see. It looks much more Tatume like than I was guessing--I was expecting more Lemon like habit in the F1. Looks like it is a good climber. The fruit looks very Lemon like, which is what I was guessing, at least color. Is there any subtle darker webbing-like lines on the fruit (immature Tatume is light green with webbing-like lines of darker green). I really can't to get mine started!

[jmsieglaff]

Any updates are fine with me Monty. Post away! I'll post my updates as well once things get growing. It would be interesting to hear how they do relative to other squash you're growing with regards to fungal issues and insect issues as the season progresses.