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Southeast Wisconsin

This question will probably seem pretty dumb to you geneticists out there but is it possible to cross cucurbit maxima with cucurbit pepo? Or is this like trying to make a cross with a muskmelon and watermelon - "It just ain't going to happen"

12/10/2005 8:34:42 PM

Long Beach, CA

No, c. maxima and c. pepo won't cross since they are different species... It is possible to cross different varieties of c. maxima (Big Max and AG, for example) though.

Oliver

12/11/2005 12:23:23 AM

Pumpkintown, SC

Not directly, but YES, indirectly!
Simplified case in point: c. maxima x c. mochata = (A)F1; c. pepo x c. mochato = (B)F1. Now (A)F1 x (B)F1
This is just one way. There are others and are often used to adopt certain phenotypes from one species to another. Probably the development of Powdery Mildew "tolerant" pumpkin strains is the most well known example of this. BF

12/11/2005 1:59:54 AM

Long Island,New York

OK,, do we mean successfull cross? Or just cross to get that fruit? Must the cross produce viable seeds or just allow the pollinated flower to fruit? I know of a summer squash (pepo) x hubbard (maxima) that germinated and produced fruit with characteristics of both.......

12/11/2005 8:44:25 AM