The death of a pumpkin by Vine Borer

[hangin'witthepeeps]

I too lost my squash in my SFG to black fuzzy fungus and the VB. I ripped them out and the fungus was on the roots. I was greedy and planted them too close together so there was no air circulation. My grandmother planted one squash (lives 500 yards from me) and it did pretty good and looks great. So I replanted (starts from store). I put two in one half barrel (being greedy again) and I had two tires from my failed potato experiment so I planted one in each tire.

Today: My two in a barrel are covered in squash bugs and eggs on the leaves. I have a few squash (two), one got black fuzzy fungus and the other is small and not growing. The leaves and vines look awful. Now the singles in the tires which are no growing over the sides look really good. I have one squash starting on each plant and they are looking good. I believe the key to the fungus is room. With room there is good air circulation. Now I have seen eggs on the leaves of these two plants, but no active bugs having a frat party like on the other plant. I will continue to monitor these plants even if I don't get squash (I have been hand pollinating so I could eliminate the bee factor) to see what to do for next year.

I love squash and zucchini. We eat them in season at least three times a week. I love them frozen for casseroles or sauteed with onions. I will have squash next year even if I go plant some in my grandmothers garden with my corn rows she allots me!

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

But I did learn today that the window of the vine borer moth to mate and lay eggs for this year has ended. I am good to go ahead and try a late planting if I want.

I see squash bugs actively mating on my squash plant in the barrel. I googled squash bugs and that is them!!! I swear!!!

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/squashbug.html

If you look at this picture, that looks just like them and what they are doing on my plant!

 

[vfem]

I actually have tons of squash beetles on mine as well. I'm so ticked off! But what am I to do. I'm trying to figure out what plants will attract soldier beetles... they eat squash bugs!

 

[vfem]

This is my decision..... I am going to put up some quick fencing around my pumpkins that have the squash pests. I am going to release 2 of the hounds... I mean chickens... and let them have at them for a few hours. We'll see how they do, since I am slowly losing those pumpkins anyways, all it can do it help... or end the misery early! LOL

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

I saw on one site about 7 dust, I'm going to try that. I know it's not a good solution, but I''m tired of them. I will treat the bad one and leave the others. Anyone have another "poison" to try. My chickens have access to the barrel and tires. I still have bugs, but come to think of it, the barrel is higher off the ground (lots of bugs) and the tires are pretty even (little to no bugs). I see where the chickens have scratched in the tires. Well see, let the experiments begin!!!

 

[ducks4you]

I lost my 15 footer this week, too. Guess I'll be buying pumpkins from my neighbors this year.
Here's a thought for next year. I'm thinking of starting my pumpkins indoors, then planting on a composted site, but I want to tuck my 2011 pumpkins in with newspaper. Mine failed because of all of the bermuda grass, which gave a great home to the bugs.

 

[hoodat]

I count myself lucky that neither vine borers nor squash bugs seem to like San Diego. We already gotta nuff tourists. It's a shame the Mexican bean beetle made it over the border. It figures a Mexican beetle would head for the beans.