Squash seed question

[Pennyroyal]

I'm new to the forum and have a seed question. Two years ago I grew some Tennessee Sweet Potato squashes (Baker Creek seeds). They were big, great keepers, and had orange solid flesh. Last year I grew them again, but when I finally got around to cooking them, almost 3/4 of the squashes turned out to be like spaghetti squash--stringy flesh instead of solid. They also didn't keep as well as the first ones. They were delicious, but I'm confused about the seed. Did they cross when they were grown for seed and was it just happenstance that I planted those seeds last year and not the year before? My spaghetti squash plants last year succumbed to squash beetles early on so I'm sure they didn't cross in my garden. I still have some seed and plan to grow them again, but I'd sure like to know how they'll turn out.
Thanks.

[zebraman]

Hey Pennyroyal;First of all I am assuming that you are referring to the Green and white striped,bell shaped C.Mixta.There is also a C.Mochatta that is called TN Sweet Potato Squash which is tan.
Second you stated that you grew it last year,saved seed and had different results.You may already know this,but Squash are "Out-breeders".You really need to be growing at least 20-25 plants to get All the Genetics within the type.(If you have a Pure Bred Dog and let it breed with a stray in the alley You will not get Pure Bred Puppies.)
Also it was first listed in 1847 by New York Seedsman Grant Thorburn as Green Striped Bell and most likely renamed by Burpee in 1883 as Tennessee Sweet Potato.It has always been listed as Poor Eating Qualities best used for extremely long-lasting decorations.
If you are looking for High eating Quality and resistance to Squash Vine Borers I would suggest Tahitian Melon Squash.C.Mochatta.-

[Pennyroyal]

Hi Zebraman, I was growing the tan squash, and I didn't save any seeds. I used seeds from the same packet purchased in 2005. I actually was kind of disappointed in it the first year--huge, but not much meat. I liked it much better as a spaghetti squash, but that's not how it's advertised!

[zebraman]

Hey Pennyroyal;C.Mixta's are stringy,which is why I don't grow them.It could also be how the grower,grew them for BC.How long is your growing season? Also if you like C.Mixta's you should also check out
http://www.nativeseeds.org/v2/default.php

[redbrick]

Umm, it sounds like Pennyroyal is describing the C. moschata (tan fruit), not the C. mixta. How many vines did you plant last year, and how many of those vines produced the string-fleshed fruits? It's possible that either you had a seed mixup in the packet, or that all of the fruit in question came from one vine that happens to be a sport. BTW, this year's pollination won't affect this year's fruit quality, but it WILL affect the seeds, and thereby, next year's fruit quality. The flesh is "parent " tissue, while the seed is "offspring". The only vegetable I know of that can be affected this year is corn. Of course, when you eat corn, you're eating the seeds.

[zebraman]

Hey Guys;Being that she used the same seed from same planting(FromBC)for both crops clearly says that there was a mix of seeds in the packet.The best thing to do is call BC directly and inquire about this.They know who produces their seed.I have grown the C.Mochatta TN.SWT.Pot. and it has an unusually large seed cavity and almost no flesh.It also has a really large stem attached to the squash.I suggested the C.Mixta because she said she liked the stringy one's better.-

[BEEGES]

Zebraman
Are you saying that some of the squash plants got crossed in the seed supplier’s field, or they actually mixed in some wrong seeds from a different variety into her packet?

PS. did you check out that Cornell site I posted? One of the best I have ever found.

[zebraman]

Hey Beegees;Yes if Pennyroyal grew two different types from 1 pkt. it would imply that the mixing was on the supplier's end.
And I always use the Cornell site to check squash var.s.I found it last year while trying to find more info on Confederate Gold Squash.Interesting point was when I called Harris Moran (they were the Original Breeder of the squash) their squash Breeder didn't know if it was hybrid or OP,and also didn't know why their company dropped it.They also dropped a lot of other OP squash at the same time (all of which they introduced) probably for hybrids.-

[Pennyroyal]

Thanks all for your comments. I think it was a mixing on the supplier's end. I may try again as I still have a few seeds, but these are definitely not my favorite squashes.