Has the colour of Field Pumpkins evolved?

[bluelacedredhead]

I saw a pic tonight in a magazine of a harvest of pumpkins on a Nebraska farm in the very early 1900's.
There were several pumpkins on the pile. Tall Jack-o-lantern types for the most part.
But the thing that struck me was that they all had dark green skin?

I know that they could very well be a cross with a squash to keep the green colour.
Or that frost was imminent and so the family picked what they could before they lost them all..

But could it also be possible that at one time, the orange skinned varieties were less popular than they are now? And that they've been purposely bred for more orange colour as the popularity of Trick or Treat has increased??

[Alan]

That's a good question! I'll do a bit of research as soon as i get a chance and see what I can find out. Ken Ettlinger would be a good person to ask about this for sure. I know that for example, KY field pumpkin is often picked a bit on the "green" side here when there are early frosts, but other than that it is hard to say.

Granted if they were Cucurbita Pepo then there very well could be some green varieties, exspecially if crossed with zucchini, I know I am growing out a number of crosses that Ken Ettlinger did between all numbers of Pepo squash and I am getting all kinds of variety this year, exspecially in Acorn, Scallop, and the small ornamental pumpkin types. I am really excited about them and I will soon post some pics of them here for you!
-Alan