What is this...Gourd? Squash?

TZ-OH6 · August 13, 2009

One of my Delicata squash grew into this. I have to assume it is a stray seed in the commercial pack. I'm hoping the color and the warts can help with a ball park ID.

The leaves are bigger than Delicata, on long strong vines, and are resisting diseases that are hitting squash and cucumbers near it.

Wi-sunflower · August 13, 2009

Yes it's still a squash and quite good.

I've been growing the old un-improved Delicata for about 20 years now. I always get a few plants like that. In fact it's my opinion that the "newer" type, Sweet Dumpling, is a direct offshoot from these oddballs that are in the Delicatas. The texture and flavor is very similar. Only the shape is different. Some Delicatas will also have warts, so that's not unusual.

I never noticed the size and disease difference you mention, but I'm growing 5+ acres of winter squash and can't usually keep an eye on 1 or 2 oddballs.

Carol

TZ-OH6 · August 13, 2009

The seed came from Burpees Heirloom Delicata, which might be a bush plant because the vines are not getting more than 6-8 ft long???, but this mutant is nearly 20 ft long, and not a sign of the silver leaf that all the other's have. I probably won't save seeds because I just don't have room to grow something like that. Luckily it's growing on my sugar snap pea trellis which is vacant at the moment.

mjc · August 13, 2009

I second the motion for it being something like 'Sweet Dumpling'...

slo-toma · May 5, 2010

This variety is not true to type, sorry. It's similar to Sweet dumpling (long vine, similar shape), although the warts must have come from a third variety.

TZ-OH6 · May 5, 2010

After eating them I can assure you that they are not something anyone would save. The flesh was like a degraded Delicata, poor flavor and somewhat stringy. The skin was very hard and sat around in the compost like plastic. They did have a lot of seeds that were good to eat.

habitat_gardener · May 5, 2010

I came across this claim about crossed Delicata seed being widely dispersed.

http://www.wildgardenseed.com/produc...roducts_id=141

slo-toma · May 5, 2010

It can happen, same with cucumbers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucurbitacin

August 13, 2009	#2
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	Yes it's still a squash and quite good. I've been growing the old un-improved Delicata for about 20 years now. I always get a few plants like that. In fact it's my opinion that the "newer" type, Sweet Dumpling, is a direct offshoot from these oddballs that are in the Delicatas. The texture and flavor is very similar. Only the shape is different. Some Delicatas will also have warts, so that's not unusual. I never noticed the size and disease difference you mention, but I'm growing 5+ acres of winter squash and can't usually keep an eye on 1 or 2 oddballs. Carol Last edited by Wi-sunflower; August 13, 2009 at 09:25 AM. Reason: added thought

May 5, 2010	#6
TZ-OH6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid-Ohio Posts: 850	After eating them I can assure you that they are not something anyone would save. The flesh was like a degraded Delicata, poor flavor and somewhat stringy. The skin was very hard and sat around in the compost like plastic. They did have a lot of seeds that were good to eat. Last edited by TZ-OH6; May 5, 2010 at 04:24 PM. Reason: typo

August 13, 2009	#4
mjc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: WV Posts: 603	I second the motion for it being something like 'Sweet Dumpling'...

May 5, 2010	#5
slo-toma Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24	This variety is not true to type, sorry. It's similar to Sweet dumpling (long vine, similar shape), although the warts must have come from a third variety.

May 5, 2010	#7
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	I came across this claim about crossed Delicata seed being widely dispersed. http://www.wildgardenseed.com/produc...roducts_id=141