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Baltimore, MD

I have noticed that anything green is called a squash but why? From what I understand Atlantic Giant pumpkin color can vary widely. Aren't these giant green pumpkins still from Atlantic Giant seeds? Or are these green things not at all related to Atlantic giants. The whole subject just confuses me.

Trevor

12/20/2007 8:10:54 PM

western PA

They are all the same thing

12/21/2007 5:17:14 AM

Baltimore, MD

That's what I thought. So then why are the green ones referred to as squash and the orange ones referred to as pumpkins? And why does the color matter during weigh-offs?

12/21/2007 12:55:52 PM

Georgia

Its just a way to Classify things I believe. Plus it makes it more interesting during the weigh-offs to have seperate events. I like my pumpkins with shades of green and orange so I guess I like Squakins.

12/21/2007 1:04:21 PM

Somers, CT

Pumpkins, especially AG variety have a dominant gene that makes it orange as opposed to squash which has a dominant gene that makes them green. Usually there is a percent orange that the pumkin needs to be to maintain pumpkin status vs squash.

12/21/2007 1:25:10 PM

Baltimore, MD

So Rob are you saying that these green things are not from Atlantic Giant seeds? If you planted a seed from an orange AG and it produced offspring that were green would it be called a squash or a pumpkin?

12/21/2007 10:54:37 PM

western PA

the orange Gene is dominant, the green gene is ressesive. both genes can be found within and pumpkin/squash. it takes the lack of the orange gene to make a green squash.
the reason a squash is green is because it has a combination of ressesive green genes.

when you cross a pumpkin with a greenie, each seeds would have a chance to give rise to either a greenie or a pumpkin. thou most of the time, the greatest percentage of the seeds will throw orange.
it would all be dependent on the parents. if the pumpkin parent had all dominant orange genes and the geenie has all ressesive. than all the offspring will be orange, and they will have and equal amont of dominate orange and ressesive green. if you cross this offspring with with a greenie that is all ressesive. the offspring will be 50% greenies with all ressesive. and 50% half dominant, half ressesive.

12/22/2007 8:46:44 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

But, they are all Atlantic Giants, correct??? Peace, Wayne

12/22/2007 1:33:41 PM

Long Island,New York

I can't wait for the answer to this one !!!

12/22/2007 2:31:46 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Me too, G!!! Peace, Wayne

12/22/2007 6:10:05 PM

western PA

refer to first reply

12/22/2007 10:34:26 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

They are all Cucirbita Maxima. The original "Dill's Atlantic Giant" was a C. maxima variety that was bred to be orange.

12/22/2007 11:31:52 PM

Baltimore, MD

Well what I really want to know is why are the green ones called squash and the orange ones called pumpkins? If they are the same why aren't they either both squash or both pumpkins? Is it because when people think of pumpkins they think of something orange? But then if that is the case then do we call white pumpkins squash as well? I realize that it doesn't really matter but I am very curious.

Also since the subject of genes has been brought up does anyone know any actual information on the genetics of these giant squash other than their lineage. I am curious to know how many copies of their chromosomes these pumpkins have since I know that polyploidy typically leads to more vigorous plants and these pumpkins are probably some of the most vigorous growers.

12/23/2007 12:44:05 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

I was always told all pumpkins are squash but not all squash are pumpkins....All azaleas are rhodedendrums but not all Rhodedendrums are azaleas....(Or vice versa)...an orange squash ergo pumpkin...green still a squash.

12/24/2007 9:16:13 AM

Somers, CT

I took a class on dominant and recessive genes and some of it is chance but when certain crosses are made, the result will be different. We are all Humans but come in different sizes, colors and shapes and intelligence. I think crossing greener fruit plants will result in more of a chance that the fruit will be green but not always. Still not sure where the squash seeds originated from or if anyone does.

12/24/2007 11:18:56 AM

Adams County

one more question ? If green is green and orange is orange, why is the 1367.5 rose not the record squash. I"ve seen it said in this site that it was a squash, not a pumpkin. I dont know just wondered if someone could explain it to me...

12/28/2007 10:13:26 PM

Long Island,New York

In the olden days the rule was if it was 35% green or grey it was to be classified as a squash. The 1367.5Rose was a big pumpkin with alot of late season greening up action and was classified as a squash in accordance with the old rules. The new rules are that it should be 100% grey green or blue with allowances for the white striping and splotches(like the cali mottle on pkns). These new rules(3-4yrs old now) apply to GPC contests and to the Green Jacket Competition officially but most contests seem to follow the GPC lead (as they should).It should be noted that the GPC is a heaviest wins contest regardless of color....there's a bonus for 100% green or 100%orange on top of heaviest wins. This may keep the orange orange and the green green but from the looks of some of the squash crosses going on out there I don't know...........

12/28/2007 10:41:31 PM

Adams County

thanks for the reply LIpumpkin, Bill

12/29/2007 6:29:38 PM

Northern Arizona

My understanding is they are all squash. zuccini, butternut, pumkin, they are all squash but with diffrent names.

1/31/2008 12:55:10 PM