Those varieties represent three different species, so some will probably come true (long Island cheese, C. moschata) while others will be a mix. That should not matter much in a big mixed patch, could be cool.

9helley -- I love the idea of a whole front yard pumpkin patch. Are you in the suburbs? Even better :)

I have always heard that squash is so promiscuous that it's better to get "true" seeds. BUT it sounds like it could be a fun experiment. And how could you eat that many pumpkins anyway? They'll look great, (and interesting) and then you can just cook the ones that taste good.

Elisa, planning to wrestle a huge (can't pick it up alone) Musque De Provence pumpkin into frozen and canned submission today.

As already mention some will breed true but most will not. That's fine as long as you don't sell them as true breed or trade the seeds as true breed. The F2 will be even more crossed.

So is it worth it? All depends on how you plan to use them. For personal use - great. For sale or trade - not so great.

Dave

mmm some say some won't cross pollinate, me i dunno? so i'll leave that one alone, pumpkins are noted for cross pollinating and you never know when it has happened until you keep and grow from your own seed.

X-s can be good fruit but have had some that are only good for wood carving unless you like pumpkin soup.

i would say if you want to grow a particular pumpkin then source known heirloom seeds open pollinated. from planting to picking is a long gap if picked only when ripe.

i have kent/jap and queensland blue's growing together (they are about the best eating)haven't decided what i am going to do about next seasons plantings as yet, a bit of effort paper bagging coming female and male flowers so i can hand pollinate then bag the female again until the next day.

anyhow give them a try.

a ripe pumpkin is great eating

len

Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page