Question
Hi Mike,

I'm wanting to collect seeds from my garden.  I want to know what plants cross-pollinate?  I know we can't grow 2 kinds of squashes, but what else?  

Also cherries & sour cherries and ornamental cherries; apples and crabapples: is it okay to have these near each other or will they mix and make wierd fruit?  

Thanks so much for your help!  < "

Answer
Erin, one word of caution when collecting seeds for propagation. The chance of duplicating them is minimal. Your plants, like most sold today, are most likely hybrids. Hybrids are a cross between two different varieties of the same genus, grown to produce a specific color, growth habit, and/or for disease resistance. Hybrids seldom breed true from seed to the parent plant. Instead, the offspring will usually be a different color and have a different growth habit.  If you feel adventurous, by all means harvest the seed. Although the propagated plants will vary, they sometimes provide new colors that you may find appealing. On the other hand, if you want an exact dupicate of the parent plant, you would be better advised to propagate with cuttings.

Besides squash, corn will cross-pollinate, especially if you're growing standard sweet varieties. The new triple sweets can be grown in close proximity without cross-pollinating, but all other varieties need to be planted at least 50 feet away.

Peppers and tomatoes are self-pollinating. There is no danger of cross-pollination. The same holds true for most fruit trees.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike