…… What kind of squash is this?
- Thread starter BenIan
- Start date
BenIan
Veteran Member
I am plagued by squash vine borers so every year I plant about 20-30 squash plants and usually end up getting about 1 or 2 squash. It's been no different this year except for these two guys. They grew on the same vine and have been thusfar the only fruit to survive the blasted borers. Problem is, I can't remember what they are. I planted a bunch of old squash seeds in a new hugelkultur bed that I was experimenting in and not expecting much from. I have no idea what types I planted there but this was one. Can anyone help me put a name on these?
Benlan, I have the same problem. I am using BT and it seems to be helping quite a bit. I started using it when I set out the plants and kept applying it faithfully. I haven't been able to grow zucchini until last year when I started using BT. The borers did get the zucchini in the end, but I got a lot of the squash before the plants succumbed. Be sure you remove the plants when they are finished and remove the larva that are in the vines. Yellow summer squash seems to be less attractive to the borers than zucchini, but I don't know about winter squash as I don't have enough space to grow them. I am quite sure that BT would work just as well on winter squash as summer varieties as long as it is consistently applied.
Look for the moths that lay the eggs, they are black and red. I found one on my zucchini, but they are difficult to find (I think they fly at night).
I also cover the plants with remay when I set them out until they start to flower.
Look for the moths that lay the eggs, they are black and red. I found one on my zucchini, but they are difficult to find (I think they fly at night).
I also cover the plants with remay when I set them out until they start to flower.
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Could just be a cross - reminds me a bit of a hubbard squash. (William Woys Weaver said of two varieties some out crossing veggi: don't plant them too close together, or they will "cavort.")
I'd have to look it up to be sure (not happening at 6am - been awake since 3am), but as I understand it, everything from cucumbers and watermelons to pumpkins and zucchini are all in the same Cucurbita pepita (spell?) classification.
I'd have to look it up to be sure (not happening at 6am - been awake since 3am), but as I understand it, everything from cucumbers and watermelons to pumpkins and zucchini are all in the same Cucurbita pepita (spell?) classification.
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Maybe the link below will help.
15 Vibrant Varieties of Winter Squash and Pumpkin for Your Recipes
15 Vibrant Varieties of Winter Squash and Pumpkin for Your Recipes
BenIan
Veteran Member
What is a good source/brand for BT? I think I'm going to give that a try.
BT Thuricide Concentrate Caterpillar Control by Bonide | Gardener's Supply
This natural caterpillar control from Bonide will prevent caterpillars from ruining your garden. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
This is what I use. I use it frequently, especially after a rain. I think covering the plants until they really start to flower helps a lot, too. If you see a spot where the borer has bored spray it into the hole.
Good luck.
bracketquant
Veteran Member
They have the look of a C. moschata type of squash. Moschatas have the most solid vines, and are therefore the most resistant to squash vine borers. A growout next year would likely show whether it is stable, or a cross (different looking squash than those).
skwentnaflyer
Veteran Member
Autumn Frost F1 Specialty Butternut Squash
Organic Non-GMO Autumn Frost F1 Specialty Butternut Squash
www.highmowingseeds.com
I just bought a couple of those at a farmers market to get the seeds, a little disappointed to see its a hybrid.
Freeholder
This too shall pass.
Autumn Frost F1 Specialty Butternut Squash
Organic Non-GMO Autumn Frost F1 Specialty Butternut Squash
I just bought a couple of those at a farmers market to get the seeds, a little disappointed to see its a hybrid.
Don't give up just because it says they are hybrids. Some hybrids do breed true, and even those that don't can be selected for the qualities you want. You probably won't get anything exactly like what you started with, at least not for a while, but normally hybrid does not mean sterile, it just means it's a cross-breed and may not breed true from seed. It's worth saving seed to plant out and see what you get.
Same with the squash/pumpkins in the OP -- they look like some of the winter squash available, but not exactly. I would let them sit a month or so to finish ripening, then open them and see what you've got. If the insides are good, save seeds to plant next year.
Look up Joseph Lofthouse for good info on breeding your own varieties that will work best in your garden.
Kathleen
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
it's a pumpkin, I forget what it's called P Allen Smith had them on his show today and he was making soup with one of them, I want to say it's a Cinderella Pumpkin but I don't think that's correct.
Looks a very little like the old vintage Amish pie pumpkins.
Freeholder
This too shall pass.
The Cinderella pumpkins are kind of flat, the opposite of these. They aren't great eating pumpkins, can be eaten, but not the best.
Kathleen
BenIan
Veteran Member
We've cooked them both and they were good. I've saved every seed out of both and intend to plant several next year to see what I get. I searched for pictures and the closest thing I could find was an Upper Ground Sweet Potato squash. Some of the pics looked similar. I know it's definitely a mochata type because that's all I plant.
Few things... Don't save seed from any squash unless you plant only one type. Want great Squash? Do a mass planting of many types intermixed. In a nut shell more plants means less pests per plant. The best "home garden" preventative for SVB is coving with row cover and keep it in place till after they start producing. The second best is using an approved pesticide. Most BT is not approved for Squash vine borer, read the labels. Do not take pesticide advise from random websites. Read the label and read the advise from your land grant university.
I have read that they don't bother butternut squash,because the vines are solid,not hollow.Before they harden they can be used like summer squash.
