Re: [gardeners] What's the advantage for warty squash?

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Next message: M T: "Re: [gardeners] Garden special on TV sunday"
• Previous message: Shantihhh@aol.com: "[gardeners] Fall garden"
• Maybe in reply to: Margaret Lauterbach: "[gardeners] What's the advantage for warty squash?"

Looked at the SSE 2003 catalog and see also see lots more warty squash.
But as I recall, the yellow crookneck was more warty half century ago than
it is now - and today's version also gets wartier late in the season.  Blue
Hubbard has always been warty.  Likewise Turks turban but less than blue
Hubbard.

Do you suppose the maybe warts had been bred out and the squash
are now reverting (evolutionary regression?) due to the emphasis on saving
seeds.  Seems that enforced self-pollination may have such a result.  Not
that I have any experience with this - at least not with respect to warty
squash.

Google search indicates some warts are caused by mosaic diseases.

Olin

----- Original Message ----- From: "Margaret Lauterbach"
> What's the evolutionary advantage for warty squash? The new Seed Savers'
> Exchange seed catalog (for the public) is illustrated with many kinds and
> colors of gourds. Inside, they've combined gourds and squash (a quixotic
> decision, IMO, because I don't recall seeing any of the edible gourds
among
> the offerings), and some of the squashes sport warts too.  I've seen even
> wartier squash in some seed company catalogs.  There must be an
> evolutionary advantage, or is evolution progressing from smooth to
> warty?  Margaret L
>
>

• Next message: M T: "Re: [gardeners] Garden special on TV sunday"
• Previous message: Shantihhh@aol.com: "[gardeners] Fall garden"
• Maybe in reply to: Margaret Lauterbach: "[gardeners] What's the advantage for warty squash?"