Do pumpkins and squash easily cross breed?
Q: Do pumpkins and squash easily cross breed? Do I need to plant them far apart to prevent this from happening? Also, my pumpkin leaves are covered with mildew. Is this because I water the leaves? Can mildew be prevented? A: Pumpkins and squash belong to the genus cucurbita. There are six different species and different varieties within the same species will cross easily, but crossing does not occur between different species. Some squash are in the same species as pumpkins and can cross pollinate each other; however, this will not affect the fruit produced by either plant. Cross pollination is not a concern for gardeners unless they want to save seed of a particular variety to plant. Cross pollination between two varieties will produce hybrid seed resulting in plants with some characteristics of both parents. Planting several varieties in separate locations may not prevent bees from cross pollinating flowers. Most natural crosses produce offspring with less desirable characteristics th
