Mark Kidd
2022-11-14T08:00:00Z
Background==
From my understanding, evidence from archaeology, genetics, and molecular biology strongly suggests that Cucurbita pepo was domesticated twice. One group of squashes that includes pepo pumpkin, calabaza, and marrow/zucchini was likely domesticated in Central America, and another group that now includes crookneck, acorn, scallop, and ornamental gourds was likely domesticated somewhere between Texas and the mid-Atlantic.
There is information scattered across the web and in academic papers about the separate C. pepo domestications. I found the squash chapter in āRivers of Changeā to be an easy-to-follow narrative account of the proposed history of the pepo species, and it can be read via Googleās preview of the book at [ Google Books ]
My goal==
I am interested in creating as diverse of a grex of edible squashes as possible from the Ozark/Atlantic lineage. As a secondary goal, I am interested in whether there are desirable traits that can be added from genetically related feral and wild-type squashes.
I have not undertaken a project like this before, and I am particularly interested in advice and reference material with how I might approach adding genetics from the wilder varieties. I have not yet unlocked the squash section of the curriculum here, but I will certainly do so over the next week or two!
For my project, I have been saving, buying, and swapping seed from these varieties with the intention to encourage them to freely cross-pollinate in 2023:
- Large green acorn
- Small yellow and orange acorn
- White scallop
- Yellow round
- Yellow crookneck
I also have seeds of ovifera varieties that may or may not be bitter (I have not grown any of these yet):
- Nest egg gourds collected from two populations in Missouri
- Tennessee spinner gourds
- Common ornamental ovifera gourds
Because I live in Kentucky, my wish list includes feral nest egg or pear gourds from my state, but I have not found a source yet. Please let me know if you are aware of any opportunities!