Winter Squash hybrid info report and pics

10 years ago

So I have been tickled pink by my hybrid winter squash this year. I made a comment in another thread a while back, but these were a cross between Yokahama and Seminole. The vines from the 4 plants that I have right now are highly resistant to SVBs, not a sign of mildew has appeared, and squash bugs seem to have no interest in them. They also seem to handle not much watering as well, which has been good since we have had none this fall, and I have relied on drip irrigation instead. I cannot even dig up my back garden right now because the vines are thriving, sending out more runners and setting more fruit every day.

The fruit themselves are significantly larger than either parent squash. Some of these are 10 lbs, and there is a lot of meat on the inside. The skin is pretty tasty too. I am hoping to stabilize this strain, as 4 plants have already given me 30+ squash harvested, with another 20+ on the vines still!

The one problem I have noticed, is that each time I try to let one of these ripen fully until they are totally orange, they seem to rot out from the bottom. I lost 5-6 this way, so I have taken to picking them when they start turning orange, but won't wait until they get that uniform Seminole orange color. Here is a nice pyramid of squash I set up just for this pic. :)

And here is a pic of one I just picked with one that has fully changed color, with a wine bottle for size reference.

Featured Answer

authereray

10 years ago

I don't remember if you told if how your cross was made, was it natural or did you cross pollinate them by hand. This is very interesting, anything that the squashbugs will leave alone is worth paying attention to.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

kfrinkle
Original Author
10 years ago
This was a natural pollination. Even luckier than that, is normally I roast the squash whole, seeds and all, thus killing the seeds inside. For some reason, I cut one of my seminoles in 1/2 last winter and just tossed the seeds in to the compost bin. They germinated well, and I did not even notice them taking off in my compost bin, and barely had enough time to transplant two of them to my garden area. I decided to let two others survive in the compost bin, just to see what would happen, and they crawled out and took over my back yard, and made their way into two of my neighbours' yards as well.
Related Professionals
Saint Joseph Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Oxford Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Rocky Mount Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Pittsfield Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Edison Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Plattsburgh Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Montrose Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · St. Louis Landscape Contractors · Mason City Landscape Contractors · Waterloo Landscape Contractors · Sierra Vista Landscape Contractors · Evanston Landscape Contractors · Niles Accessory Dwelling Units · Altoona Accessory Dwelling Units · Victoria Accessory Dwelling Units
chickencoupe
10 years ago
Wow. That's really awesome. Thanks for the update. I love it.
Macmex
10 years ago
Most of the dark/green skinned moschatas can be picked when the skin is hard (won't break under a fingernail). Pay no attention to color. Just use the fingernail test. They will turn color in storage.

George
Tahlequah, OK
Okiedawn OK Zone 7
10 years ago
I usually harvest them at dark green too and they turn buff slowly over time.

I'm glad your volunteer is doing so well. It kind of makes up for all the time you've had to spend fighting 17 generations of squash vine borers per year. Well, it seems like 17 generations.....
kfrinkle
Original Author
10 years ago
I really dont think they come in noticeable generations anymore, they just sort of continuously spawn new ones from early June to early October... *sigh*
authereray
10 years ago
Do you suppose that the rot problem was from the excessive rain? Do you think it would help to sit them on a peace of cardboard or something? But with as many as you harvested you don't miss a few. You may have a new squash/pumpkin strain. I think this is great.
kfrinkle
Original Author
10 years ago
Naw, it isnt excessive rain, as it has not rained much since these fruit have set, and I use drip irrigation placed about 4" deep on my crops. Also, I did put some pieces of cardboard under these. Oh well, pick em when they start turning seems to be the way to go. If I can get this hybrid to stabilize, I am going to start shipping these seeds out to you folks to ensure that they survive!
Okiedawn OK Zone 7
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
The rot could be from a fungal disease that resides in the soil, and I say that based on the fact that once upon a time, not all that long ago, you had good rainfall there in your county before the current flash drought began. I saw lots of various fungal diseases on various things when it was wetter, but not so much since July. Still it is possible you have a fungi lurking in your garden that thrives in heat and low moisture. Such things do exist. When I grew both Black Futsu and Yokohama, their fruit did seem more prone to rot than that of Seminole or Butternut so it just may be a particular weakness that they have.
kfrinkle
Original Author
10 years ago
Dawn, maybe that is the issue, since this has a Yokahama as a parent. They do seem to cure well once they are off the vine.