skip to main content

Pumpkins, Squash & Gourds

Curious squash growing in my Butternut squash

4 years ago

I don't have a picture right now. I grow Waltham butternut squash up a trellis. There are no other squash in the garden. I live out in the country and there aren't any other gardens close by. But there's one dark green squash growing in the trellis, unlike the others. It's a similar shape, but darker green, Never saw that before. I guess I should follow the stem and see if it is perhaps from a different seed? I'll try to get a pic later. Any ideas? Thanks!

Featured Answer

catherinet
Original Author

4 years ago

Finally got a pic of it. Let me know what you think. Since all the other squash look as they should, I'm thinking I just got a stray seed in the pack. What do you think? What kind of squash do you think it is? Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

lilyd74 (5b sw MI)
4 years ago
It looks like it is growing from the exact same vine as the rest - in which case it would not be related to the seed, but to environmental conditions. Ripeness, genetic variation/mutation, etc. Am I incorrect, and they are indeed on different vines? if so, then yes, most likely a different seed mixed in with the rest.
Related Discussions
growing butternut squash in containers
Q
Comments (5)
I am growing zuchini in containers and they are doing just fine. I planted 4 in half gallon flower pots and transplanted the best one into a ten gallon container (rubbermaid with holes drilled in the bottom) then did not feel like ripping the other three out and had no where to transplant them and did not really need 4 zuchini so I left them in the half gallon pots. They produced zuchini-and are still producing zuchini-the one I put in the ten gallon container is much bigger but has yet to produce a zuchini. My point is that not all plants need "ideal" growing conditions. You may do very well with one plant in a 15 gallon container. You may find you need to water more frequenly in container then in the ground but if you don't mind getting 13 squash instead of 15 just work with what you have. I feed my container squash frequently-weekly-and I actually have to water the ones in the tiny containers twice per day.
...See More
Is it too early for butternut squash or spagetti squash?
Q
Comments (4)
Too early? In Atlanta I wouldn't think so. What are your soil temps running? And if you are seeing squash bugs already then it should be plenty warm. The soil temps up here in northern AR aren't quite warm enough yet - need a week of good warm weather. As for preventing squash bug damage - there are lots of posts here about how to control them that a search will pull up. IMO row covers and daily egg patrol work best unless you want to get into some of the chemical sprays. Adults can just be knocked off into a jar of hot soapy water and killed. Dave
...See More
Growing small pumpkins and butternut squash in containers
Q
Comments (5)
Sorry to hear about the loss of the garden. they do love that soil we put in don't they!! Just so you know I have had success with corn meal, you put some corn meal down in the garden next to their hills (specifically corn gluten) this should kill the ants in a short time took me a month or two, i just avoided them as best i could. The meal has to be dry so if it gets wet wait till dry again add some more. Supposedly they feed it to the queen and the gluten expands she cannot digest and cannot eat anymore.. I have also heard this is a wives tell, but my ants are gone so... a hand full of corn meal is cheap, and fire ants are not nice! Just be aware corn gluten inhibits seed germination, plan accordingly, it will have to break down.
...See More
Can I use any Winter squash instead of Butternut Squash
Q
Comments (9)
I agree with Annie on the interchangeable part....but I prefer hubbard to butternut. There really are lots of varieties of winter squash....all of them with subtle differences. I find acorn stringy, butternut a little dense, some delicata a little watery, hubbard HUGE and sometimes stringy, Marina del chioggia has a bit of a smokey taste....and I am still searching for the elusive galleux....said to be the sweetest and most delectable. And it must be, a friend gave me one and I left it outside for a bit as a fall decoration and the critters ate it up!! In spite of stringy, watery etc...I love all winter squashes!!
...See More
catherinet
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks lilyd. I'm pretty certain it's growing from a separate stem.

Does anyone have any idea what type it might be? The only thing that comes close is a really long green one, (can't remember the name), but this one of mine has a shape like a bird house gourd. I've looked up several seed companies squash listings and nothing looks like this one. Just curious what I have here.

Thanks.
lilyd74 (5b sw MI)
4 years ago
Never seen anything quite like it, but it could be a cross based on what was growing nearby when the parent squash (that the seed was grown in) was developing.
catherinet
Original Author
4 years ago
I followed its stem all the way to the ground, and yep....it must have come from a different seed.
catherinet
Original Author
4 years ago
Can I assume whatever it is, it's safe to eat?
farmerdill
4 years ago
It should be edible, but may not be palatable.
lilyd74 (5b sw MI)
4 years ago
If it is excessively bitter, don't finish eating it; if it is too tough, then it is just too tough. If on the other hand it is delicious - save the seeds. They are unlikely to breed true but you never know.
catherinet
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks farmerdill and lily.
JustaGuy17
4 years ago
How did it turn out?
catherinet
Original Author
4 years ago
LOL.....thanks for asking. It's still sitting on my kitchen counter. I almost forgot about it! It has slowly been turning a bit from it's green color to more yellow. I actually baked and froze half of my yield of the "real" butternut squash, and will include this one in the last half. I will probably do it later this week or next. I'll let you know when I do! I usually bake them whole, but I think with this one I might halve it first, to save some of the seeds, in case it ends up being the sweetest squash on earth.............but I have my doubts. Thanks for asking and I'll let you know. If you never hear from me again, you'll know it was probably poisonous. ;)
catherinet
Original Author
4 years ago
Update: I baked it with the others and saved the seeds ahead of time. Tasted it before I added it to the other pulp, and it had absolutely no taste. So it went into the compost bucket, along with it's seeds.

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Squash

By Marianne Lipanovich

Almost foolproof and with cheerful flowers, squash comes in a wide range of varieties to plant in spring

HOUZZ CALL What’s Growing in Your Edible Garden?

By Becky Harris

Tell us which fresh crops you look forward to enjoying this summer

EDIBLE GARDENS Houzz Call: What Did You Grow This Summer?

By Annie Thornton

Let’s celebrate the homegrown fruits and vegetables of the season. Post your pictures and tell us about your harvest

EDIBLE GARDENS Houzz Call: Where Are the Craziest Places You Grow Edibles?

By Annie Thornton

Basil in a bathtub, spinach stacked up a wall ... If your edibles occupy an odd spot, we’d like to know

EARTH DAY How to Grow a Modern Pollinator Garden

By Aislin Gibson

You can have a minimalist design and bees too by massing thoughtfully chosen pollen- and nectar-rich flowers

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Home Farmers, Show Us Your Edible Gardens

By Stacy Briscoe

We want to see where your tomatoes, summer squashes and beautiful berries are growing this summer

GARDENING GUIDES Join Us for a Parade of Pumpkins

Fall eye candy: Get to know 9 winter squash varieties, including Long Island Cheese and Blue Hubbard

GARDENING GUIDES 15 Favorites for Your Summer Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Get your summer garden off to a good start with these popular fruits and vegetables

EDIBLE GARDENS Garden BFFs? Why Your Vegetables Are Begging for Companion Plants

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Foster friendships among plants for protection from pests, pollination support and color camaraderie

GARDENING GUIDES Organic Matters: Thwart Insect Pests With Trap Crops

By Therese Ciesinski

Add a few sacrificial plants to your garden to lure insects away from the harvest

Sponsored

Rodriguez Construction Company

1 Review

Industry Leading Home Builders in Franklin County, OH