Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) and melons (Cucumis melo), along with squashes and watermelons are members of the curcurbit family prized for their fruits. One common myth associated with cultivating cucumbers and melons near each other is that they will cross-pollinate and yield unpredictable fruit. Although this cannot occur, several factors should be taken into consideration when multiple curcurbits are grown together in a garden.
Cucumbers and melons may bloom around the same time and have many characteristics in common but they are separate species incapable of cross-pollination. Some curcurbits can pollinate each other, but only with other members of the same species. For example, because zucchini and some pumpkins are both of the species Curcurbita pepo, they may cross-pollinate. Even when cross-pollination does occur, the characteristics of the fruit from the current season are not affected. The seeds collected from this fruit, however, produce fruit that reflects its mixed parentage.
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