That they are volunteers could be part of it since you have no way to know what they crossed with and how that genetic mutation can affect blooming. More likely is that it is just something in the growing conditions and once they adapt/adjust the female blooms will develop.

Dave

Uh oh ;) I saved grocery store seeds and they are growing, but should I check out the flowers? I got them in late, so not sure if flowering. I was under the impression that most butternut squash was Waltham (heirloom). No? (Looking fro squash blossom recipes lol)

There isn't much Butternut will cross with.... you should still hopefully get some kind of Butternut. Could also be seeds from a hybrid, which may end up with weird results also, I don't know what they grow commercially. There are many varieties of Butternut, Waltham is probably the most popular with home growers. At this point not much you can do but be patient and see what the female flowers/early fruit look like.

Fortunately I am the very soul of patience (LOL, big time). I had not grown butternuts from seed in a year or two, so I am sure this came from supermarket butternut seeds that were composted. Thanks to you all.

< I was under the impression that most butternut squash was Waltham (heirloom). No?>

Nope. Butter Boy, Autumn Glow, Argonaut, Butterbush, Avalon, Butterfly, Honeynut, to name just a few. According to the University of Georgia Extension Publication "Commercial Squash Production", the heirloom/open-pollinated varieties are seldom used in commercial squash production for sale in stores because the hybrids offer better production and are more uniform in appearance.

So assuming they are correct, while a store-bought is less likely to have crossed with an other member of the same species because of the isolated way it is cultivated, it is more likely to be one of the hybrid varieties.

Dave

Thanks Peter! At this point, you're right, time will tell. I like to experiment, and other than a bit of time and exercise, it hasn't cost me much. And if they turn out to be part horseshoe crab, I'll probably still harvest them.

Tomtux, I on e got some delicious B' it squash from a compost pile. I' e gotten tomatoes and tomatillos as well. Next year I'm trying for hundred dollar bills.

Thanks, Dave! Maybe I will at least get some squash that is decent. I tend to collect seed, being as much curious as cheapskate. I also tend to keep seed too long, but it looks like some seed is forgiving. This year I tossed 9 yr old seed onto the bird table and front garden and was surprised to see a few dill plants and some sort of mustard-related green (probably from a mixed mesclun sort of packet. I wish I could find the yummy (?heirloom green-when-ripe tomato seeds that I carefully saved.

I have a bunch of clematis seeds from two years ago (or last year) and read about how to sow large flower type clems (it can take up to three years? gasp. I just tossed some into one garden, but nothing so far -- the soil is dry and sandy there. I know that it is _not_ an easy way to get clematis plants, but I wondered what I'd get from a maybe Nelly Moser and maybe Anna Louise combo. I have them (in the wrong spot, my veggie garden) side by side on a garden fence. My garden in the back is a mish mosh of "holding area," experiment area and vegetable and flower garden. Long story.

Waiting,eat those blossoms!