cross-pollinate - Ask Extension
i have a unknown vegtable/fruit that grew on my canalope vine it looks like a large dark green pair and tastes like a cucumber and it has a light oran...
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cross-pollinate #150710
Asked September 03, 2013, 7:47 AM EDT
i have a unknown vegtable/fruit that grew on my canalope vine it looks like a large dark green pair and tastes like a cucumber and it has a light orange color center my family says it has a hint of canalope taste. i would like to know where i could take it to have someone tell me what it might be. i live in the pueblo colorado area. my name is david gillis
Pueblo County Colorado
Expert Response
David,
sorry for the delayed response. Your inquiry was sent to me 9/16.
Cucumber (Cucumis sativis) and Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) are closely related plants in the gourd family. Because they are so closely related, pollen transfer between cucumber and cantaloupe can result in "hybrid" plants with fruits having characteristics of both. So, I'd bet that what happened was that the plant in your photo was a volunteer this season...you did not plant it, but it resulted from a fruit (seed) that was left in the garden from last year's cantaloupe or cucumber in which that cross occured. This year, that seed germinated and grew, then bore fruits with characteristics of both cucumber and cantaloupe. That would mean that all of the fruits on this particular vine have similar cuke-aloupe fruits.
sorry for the delayed response. Your inquiry was sent to me 9/16.
Cucumber (Cucumis sativis) and Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) are closely related plants in the gourd family. Because they are so closely related, pollen transfer between cucumber and cantaloupe can result in "hybrid" plants with fruits having characteristics of both. So, I'd bet that what happened was that the plant in your photo was a volunteer this season...you did not plant it, but it resulted from a fruit (seed) that was left in the garden from last year's cantaloupe or cucumber in which that cross occured. This year, that seed germinated and grew, then bore fruits with characteristics of both cucumber and cantaloupe. That would mean that all of the fruits on this particular vine have similar cuke-aloupe fruits.
