I mentioned this same thing to a friend not long ago. The hull also seems tougher this year. Weather related? I'm not sure.

Mine were flat this year as well. And the 'string' was tougher too. But I got loads and loads of them so I was still thrilled :)

Interesting - my Kentucky Wonders are all round, but some of my later Cherokee Trail of Tears are wider and a bit flatter than the others, same colouring, same string as the earlier CH ToT.

I think it might well be weather related. High moisture perhaps? When it was dry here all ToTs were round.

Thanks for the input, everyone. It was a very hot, very dry summer, and virtually all the water came from me. I was never sure if I was giving too much or not enough, although I think if I erred, it was on the side of not enough. They never wilted, though.

I'm just glad they're productive. :-)