Not sure what happened :-(

[nachoqtpie]

okay... so I went out there with a sharp knife and split the stem. I went from where the dirt started all the way up to the first node.... I killed one and recovered it with dirt. I PRAY that it makes it! Stupid pests!!!

 

[rebbetzin]

I HATE VINE BORERS!!! For about 5 years I have not even attempted to grow any squash type plants. This year, I am being brave and I planted an heirloom Hubbard Squash that is to get up to 20 lbs!! (Doubtful in our weather!) But, so far so good, I have sprayed with BT a couple of times now. Since the rains are here, I hesitate to spray now, only to have it washed off every afternoon. I have them planted in the front yard, amidst Sunflowers and Morning Glories, rosemary and garlic chives... in hopes the vine borers will not find them!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you perform surgery, it might live or it might die.

If you don't perform surgery, it will die.

 

[vfem]

I wish you luck, a VB all the way. Usually once it hits the main stalk the chance of survival goes down... I've lost quite a few in the last year or so.

Surgery is required, and I would wrap up the incision area with plant tape or something so you can invoke some healing going on. So sorry!

 

[wsmoak]

You can try splitting the stem further and removing the larvae you can find, then covering it all up with dirt. I noticed that when I pulled my infested pumpkin vines, they had rooted along the vine. If yours have too, that should help them get water and nutrients even if the main root is too badly damaged.

The problem with this method is that if you don't get them ALL, you're allowing them to mature and complete their life cycle, so you'll have more to deal with next year.

-Wendy

 

[lesa]

I was pretty sure that is what was happening. Those critters really are awful!!! You might very well save your plants doing the "surgery". Also if you have long stems growing away from the plant- go ahead and bury them. It will end up being a smaller plant-but all will not be lost....

 

[nachoqtpie]

I did try to bury some of the vines... I'm hoping that I got all of them... but who know! I haven't been outside yet to take a peak.

 

[nachoqtpie]

Well... I checked this morning.... the plant doesn't look any better.... but it doesn't look any worse either. Maybe I saved it?? Hopefully! It's still a bit yellowish and limp... but it was like that yesterday as well. So... like I said... not any better... but not worse either.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I do wish you luck. Keep it watered and lets hope. If it does die, remember to take it up and shred that stem to make sure you find all of them.

 

[vfem]

Crush up some aspirin and put it in water and feed it to your plant. That will destress and maybe help it heal?!