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Organic Gardening Vegetable Gardening Harvest

Renegade Squash ID?

7 months ago

We discovered this as it was growing out from under our garden compost bin. Now the vine is approx. 15 feet long, huge leaves and large flowers, yet just one veggie growing. The only squash we've eaten for years was Delicata. But this doesn't look like one. The one pictured is approx. 6" long.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. And what signs to look for when ready to pick? Thanks!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 months ago

last modified: 6 months ago

Cucurbits - squashes and their ilk - are notorious about cross pollination. Since they all belong to the same species, Cucurbita pepo, summer squashes like zucchini or crookneck, pumpkins, gourds and many types of winter squash can pollinate each other. This promiscuity will not show up until the next generation and you may never know what the other party involved is as they do not need to be growing in your own garden but only within a reasonable bee flight distance.

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Comments (6)

rdback
7 months ago
Kinda looks like a pumpkin. Did you compost last year's Halloween decorations by chance?
vgkg Z-7 Va
7 months ago
last modified: 7 months ago
The leaves resemble a zucchini plant so maybe it's a cross between a Zuke and Delicata, or a pumpkin and Delicata ?
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Looks like an overgrown yellow straighneck to me, too. I expect that the flesh will be on the order of an overgrown zucchini and probably can be used for the same kind of bread... It is not spagetti squash. They have no bumps. That comes from having grown tons of them at one time. OTOH many squash get stringy as they mature or age after harvest; so who knows, still best bet for use would be like for over grown zucchini like I said above. You can google that and get a ton of hits.
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daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
7 months ago
last modified: 7 months ago
Pumpkin is a compelling guess, with the long dark green longitudinal stripes on a green background. But immature pumpkins I've seen have a fine green netting-like pattern between the stripes. This one has big green splotches. But maybe an unusual variety?
HU-198272590
Original Author
7 months ago
Thanks for your thoughts on this- much appreciated. I’ll look more into the squash-?zucchini leads.

This does seem to be a mystery! I will harvest when the stem looks a bit dry and see what the interior looks like. then if it looks healthy will cook some up and see!

if I do discover what it is for sure- will post.
Mokinu
6 months ago
Did you grow the true Delicata or an F1 hybrid version?

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