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Re: Cross-pollination

At 08:04 PM 5/14/97 -0500, you wrote:
>My understanding, and I believe this is in the "book" is that
>squash/cucumber/melon family will cross polinate if closely planted to each
>other. Cantelop or water melon may take on a less desirable flavor if
>planted near cucumber...at least that's what my fatherinlaw, who grows THE
>best melons, says.

Actually, the book says the exact *opposite*. P. 307.

Plants *within* the same species will cross, but the crossing will only
affect the seeds, not the fruit. Cucumbers, muskmelons, and watermelons are
three different species--Cucumis sativus, C. melo, and Citrullus lanatus,
respectively. Cantaloupes and honeydews will cross, but the taste will be
unaffected *this* year.

On the subject of cucurbit crossing, the best tasting winter squash i ever
had was a cross between acorn and another--'Sweet Dumpling', i think.

@->-`-,-------------------------------+
|  Cousin Ricky      USDA zone 11     |
|  rcallwo@uvi.edu   formerly zone 6  |
+-------------------------------------+

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