Help! Squash need identifying!

[newmoon]

Hi

My name is Michelle and I'm new to these forums. I am in my second year of growing my own am in desperate need of help to identify two squash that I have growing in my garden!

I'd bought a packet of mixed squash from someone on ebay, and they're growing well, but I don't have a clue what they are and if they are ornamental or edible!

Here are the two offenders...

***Thanks for the help - I've taken the pics down now***


the first one being eggish shaped and has a creamy yellow and bumpy skin.

The second, which I thought was a marrow, has got bumpy skin as well.

Any help is greatly appreciated to identify these two!!

[Lesley Jay]

The second one as you rightly say is a marrow.

[Slug]

The first one looks a bit like a gourd, but I've no idea how they grow so I couldn't say for definite.

[newmoon]

The second one as you rightly say is a marrow.

Ahhh, that's good - although I did think marrows had smooth skin and this is quite knobbly.

Thanks!

[newmoon]

The first one looks a bit like a gourd, but I've no idea how they grow so I couldn't say for definite.

Nor do I lol.... I'm guessing that this isn't going to be an edible one, so I'll just dry them out (there are lots on this plant, which is just typical!) and use them in a display around the house or something.

[Slug]

Hi newmoon,

I found a picture of a gourd plant that looks a bit like yours. I've put the link in below. I was having a read on the internet and found that the gourd is related to the pumpkin, so I'd say you have gourds! Another grape may be able to correct me (or even tell you the variety)!

Here's the best piccie I could find...

http://www.cs.sonoma.edu/~rmamer/chi...1/IMAGE001.JPG

[newmoon]

oooh, that does look similar! I even emailed the guy who I bought the seeds from to see if he had a clue - and he didn't, so not much help there.

All I can do is watch and wait - I have a bit of an obsession with pumpkins, squash and gourds - I think they just look fantastic (and mores to the point, come halloween they get carved out!), so it's kind of exciting seeing what comes out from the mix of seeds that I bought.

My main concern is posioning the family when I cook the flesh!!!!

[SueA]

Hi newmoon, I agree the first one does look like a gourd but you'd have to check the variety to tell if it's edible or not. I like the look of 'Turk's Turban' gourds which are edible & I've even seen them in the supermarkets sometimes but never grown them. Here's a link to a sight with a few different ones on.
www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/pages/page6-gourds.htm