Saving F1 seed

[di]

We had a courgette self seed this year from last,I can't remember the name but I know it was an F1 variety.The courgette has taken on a totally new character~which I would expect~Question is does anyone know if I save seed from this plant will it stay as it was this year or would it change again?
As I'm typing I'm thinking it would stay true to this years,but not sure?Any ideas?

[Demeter]

I know a good way to find out!

[zazen999]

It depends on whether the male flower was the only pollen to go into the female flower; which is unlikely if you didn't tie up both and fertilise by hand.

If you have flowers still coming and we have a very late frost, or you could get the courgette big enough to make seeds; it would be doable.

[Snadger]

I agree with you! As long as it wasn't cross pollinated with another plant I think it should be the same next year?

Plant genetics aint my forte though (in fact I don't think I've got a forte!!) so someone may be along to kyboshe yet another theory!

[di]

I dfeinitely have a few large ones that I can save the seed from.It became such a monster I'm thinking if it can be recreated I'll have no need for any other courgette plants!!(we got several a day from the one plant & one day when I went exploring under it's forest found 14!!I posted pics on the showcase thread)
Think I'll give it a go but have a few back-ups just in case!!~anyone want some seeds let me know!!~but not for a confined space!!Has trailed more than my pumpkins!

[bluemoon]

It would depend upon the genotype of this years seed, which as it was a random pollination from the F1, you have no way of knowing. I'd give it a go but, as you say, have a back-up.

[Two_Sheds]

All squash are very promiscuous, apparently. That means you may have a pumpkin-courgette-gourd cross of some kind.

"you only need to worry about cross-pollination of squash if you save seeds to plant the next year. Squash may require as much as 500 feet between varieties to prevent cross-pollination, so it's not practical for most home gardeners to save squash seeds.

If you do save seed, schedule your planting so that only one variety ... flowers at the same time: this solves the problem. Seeds saved from a mixed planting would produce unpredictable and probably inedible results." http://www.vegetableexpert.co.uk/saving squash seed

[Flummery]

With all these genetic experiments, however, it's important to remember that YOU CAN STILL EAT YOUR MISTAKES! Win-win eh?

[Two_Sheds]

this is from Real Seeds, who have a super site dedicated to saving your own seed:
"Beware that pumpkins, squashes, marrows & courgettes will all cross readily with each other. The best (usually only) way to save pure seed on a home scale is to hand pollinate one or more fruits. This is very easy & will avoid disappointments with lumpen squash/courgette crosses."
How To Save Seed

[lynda66]

oooooo how exciting, i have melons courgettes, pumpkins, and 2 types of squash, all growing next to each other, it would be really cool to get a pumpkin that tasted of melon wouldn't it ...... i think i may have to save the seeds as an experiment now

[MaureenHall]

I fancy a courgette in the shape of a pumpkin that tasted of melon

[lynda66]

i've just pollinated a pumpkin with courgette pollen, ok it's probably got melon and squash pollen on it too (from the bees), but i'd love something the same size as a pumpkin that tastes of courgette, i don't like pumpkin.

[Demeter]

I like the idea of lumpen crosses
I've saved some F1 pumpkin seed, but the plant was a fair distance from any other cucurbits so I suspect it'll turn out pumpkiny! Maybe I should save some from the pumpkin plant that was right in the middle of the courgette / cucumber patch as well?

[lynda66]

i reckon anyone that's got space should have a go, it will be really interesting seeing what comes out, and we might invent something new, cucumber and courgette might be good, if you can get one that is firm but tastes of cucumber, cos then you could freeze it

[di]

Well my courgette monster plant has spent the summer nestling with a Dillis Giant Pumpkin~so dread to think of the mutation that could go on there!!aybe I'll give it a go!!See how much viable space I have going spare next year!(thinking a plot next door could be coming vacant at some point!!Now would 10 rods suffice?!)
Now onto the serious~& sorry if I now sound dim!!But from all the above advice I take it that it's not worth saving seed from this years pumpkins if they've been growing close to other varieties?regardless of whether they were F1 or not?