Pollination of Cucumbers, Squash, and Melons

As you plant cucumbers, squash, and melons you may think about the possibility of these plants cross pollinating and producing fruits with off flavors or some bizarre new fruit you would not want to eat. Have no fear, the fruit from these plants will all be just as expected in regard to appearance and taste. Yes, some squash may cross pollinate with other squash but the fruit will not be effected because it has the genetic material of only the plant that produced it, that is, the plant that you put into the ground. The seed is another matter. It is a product of the pollination and may contain genetic material from two different plants. If they are unrelated, any plant that grows from that seed will reflect the genetic make up of both parents, for better or worse.

Cross pollination will make a big difference to gardeners who like to save the seed for next year’s garden so lets take a look at what kinds of melons, squash, and cucumbers will cross pollinate. The key is to take notice of the species name of the plant (that’s the second word of the botanical name). Members of the same species can cross pollinate but members of different species can not. Here are some of the common kinds of squash, melons and cucmbers you may grow.

Group A Cucurbita pepo:

Summer squash
Yellow crook or straight neck
Zucchini, Cocozelle
Scallop/patty pan

Winter Squash
Acorn
Spaghetti

Gourds and many other ornamental types.

Many pumpkins including Cinderella, Big Tom, and Connecticut Field.

Group B Curcurbita moschata

Winter Squash
Butternut squash

Pumpkins
Cheese
Dickinson Field
Golden Cushaw
Kentucky Field

Group C Cucurbita maxima

Winter squash
Hubbard

Pumpkins
Big Max
King of the Mammoths
Mammoth Chile
Mammoth Prize
Atlantic Giant

Ornamental
Alladin
Turk’s Turban

Group D Cucurbita mixta:

Pumpkin
Green-Striped Cushaw
Japanese Pie
Tennessee Sweet Potato
White Cushaw
Mixta Gold

Group E Cucumis sativus:

All slicing and pickling cucumbers EXCEPT:
Armenian
Beit
Alpha cucumbers
Lemon cucumbers

Group F Cucumis melo:

Cucumbers
Armenian
Snake cucumber or Serpent melon
Melons
All muskmelons
Casabas
Honeydew

Group G Citrullus lanatus:

All watermelons
All citrons

The key to this whole thing is the group in which a plant belongs. Members of the same group can cross pollinate; the fruit/vegetable will be as expected but the seeds may not produce the offspring you expect. Plants in different groups do not cross pollinate so fruit/vegetable and seeds will be as expected and the seeds can be collected and used to produce new plants. If you want to grow plants in the same group and have reliable seed you can do so but you will have to grow the plants ¼-1 mile apart depending on the species!