Many of the seeds are plump, with tan tops/bottoms and a cream-colored edge. Others, though, are the color and texture of bleached bones and a lot flatter/thinner than the others. The tan seeds with the crackly-looking tops aren't plump like the shiny tan ones either.

To be fair, I've never even seen Crown squash seeds until now, let alone grown them. Maybe these are perfectly normal...? I'm leaning toward not offering to share them for fear someone will wind up disappointed.

Thoughts anyone? Thank you!

George
Tahlequah, OK

The white seeds aren't plump. Neither are the crackly-looking tan ones. They're pretty flat compared to the shiny tan ones, but they don't bend or anything like that. In the picture above, I propped a shiny tan seed and a white one up on their edges to try to illustrate the difference in their cross sections.

Messaging Baker Creek directly is a good idea.

Thanks again.

I did send an inquiry to Baker Creek this evening. I'll share whatever I learn.

George

I must say, Baker Creek's communication with customers is tops. Here is what I had in my mail box bright and early this morning:

Michelle,
I checked your picture and then opened a sampling here, and saw the same thing. In the sample I examined the white seeds appeared fully formed and had a normal looking kernel inside. Crown is a maxima squash and some maximas have the plump, dark tan seeds whilst others have white seeds with a ridged margin. So I'm not sure what's happening here. I'm not sure if this is a maturity issue, a crossing issue, or what. Or, whether Crown has both forms normally. I'm conducting a trial this season to try and figure this out.

I did pull a replacement packet that I inspected, and would like to send to you, if you'll furnish your address. Thanks so much for writing.

Randel.

Be sure to subscribe to The Heirloom Gardener magazine!!!
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.
2278 Baker Creek Rd
Mansfield, MO 65704
Tel: 417-924-8917
http://www.rareseeds.com

Communication like this is a sure-fire way to earn and keep my loyalty. There are companies I've called and e-mailed (if that's a verb) multiple times and never received so much as an acknowledgment.

I did tell Randel that sending a replacement package is unnecessary, for there are plenty of seeds for my needs in the original packet.

I like the idea of conducting a trial, too. I'm planning to grow plants from tan seeds in my garden and plants from white seeds in my cousin's garden. It won't be scientific, but I'll be less likely to mix things up :)

Thanks again everyone!

George