Saving seed from Pumpkins and Butternut Squash

[SuperDad]

I have read conflicting reports about whether you get good crops from saved seed the following year. Some reports say the plants are very promiscuous and the next years crop don't come true. Others recommend it! Have any of you any experience of this?

[Comfreyfan]

It's a bit in the lap of the gods really! It all depends on which bees visited which flowers on which plants!

I grew Turk's Turban squash from saved seed this year. One plant was very nearly Turks Turban and one was slightly less Turks Turban. Quite a pale orange and didn't really have a 'turban'. But they're still squash and they taste just fine! Now I've got to decide if I use saved seed again, because they grew with butternut again, and will they be even less TT! I think I'll have to try - just to see what I get!

[rustylady]

If your original plants were F1 hybrids, then the seed won't come true. However, if you have the space it's worth a try sowing a few. You may come up with a cracking new variety.

[PAULW]

Our site manager had five differant squashes growing on the same vine from his own saved seed.

[Two_Sheds]

This is the deal with F1 seed: you won't get the same plant/variety from seed that you save yourself. You'll still get a squash, it just won't be the variety what you expected.

Flummery can explain F1 and genetics really well, have a search back through some of her old posts.

[scarey55]

I grow red Kuri squash from saved seeds and have done so very successfully for 2 years and I have saved this year's seeds and plan to use them next year. I always have a good crop from them.

Don't know what sort they are exactly as I "inherited" them when I came here but I'm guessing they are not F1.