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Haslet Texas

hello all, this is my first post. I have read the last 10 pages of posts and can't find my answer. i have a couple different types of pumpkins sprouted, and about the size of a dinner plate. giants, Cinderella's,and jacks for the kids. my concern is SVB. my zucchini plants....approx. 50ft away are pretty well screwed! they're huge, producing squash, but upon grooming lately I've noticed the stalks are all victim of SVB. I assume within a week or so they will be dead. my question is....when is too early to treat young pumpkin plants? OR will treatment not hurt them at all? I'm just looking to get out ahead of these damn things. I hope you all don't say I'm already screwed!! thanks in advance, and good luck to all!

6/20/2017 12:40:18 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

We start treating with a systemic called Merit at transplant. Then again one month later, once again a month later. We then spray a contact insecticide as needed when we see threats like SVB, Cucumber Beatles and Squash Bugs.

6/20/2017 7:46:56 AM

Haslet Texas

Ok perfect. I will start treatment immediately. Being new to the game, I wasn't sure if the young plants could handle it. I've also decided to completely pull up and discard all of my zucchini plants so that I'm not keeping them around

6/20/2017 9:56:44 AM

President - GPC

Smaller squash plants especially crooked neck squash can act as magnet plants to attract them over to them. They are easily inspected for manual removal....then if out of control...one can Zap them.... of course we wont be eating these magnet plants

6/20/2017 11:02:37 AM

Central NY

Yea.. Leave the zucchini...good bait plants...don't eat them if you treat those w merit though ...

6/20/2017 1:03:55 PM

aurora, IL

Never too early to treat pumpkins and squashes. I am using Monterey fruit tree and vegetable soil drench insecticide every month, apply it once per season for crops you will eat. BUT once you have SVB they are hard to kill once they get inside your plants it is also hard to control them. They attacked my pumpkin plant last year really bad.

6/22/2017 2:27:56 PM

Good tip and it is important to mention an SVB trap. I am watching this trap in action.

In the future, make sure to not over winter any squash or pumpkin plant debris in the growing patch. If you did not do it this season, try doing a soil test before preparing your soil. Consider cover crops to amend soil in the growing area naturally.

Also, remember to bury the vines. Crowding plants also creates a perfect hideout for the SVBs. Catnip, lemon balm, and oregano on the hills are helpful as natural companions with pumpkins or squash plants.

I have read that strains of SVBs and squash bugs develop tolerance to merit and over time, trying another alternative on a schedule has been found pretty effective. At some point, crop rotation and trying other products with whatever you choose to use will be also help.

6/23/2017 10:26:46 PM

Haslet Texas

thanks biddy! good advice! one other question I have to your recommendation is.....I have read where burying the vine in the south multiplies my chances of disease and other issues due to the extreme heat and humidity. I know I'm rabbit holing here, and probably should ask this in a separate thread but oh well.

6/26/2017 8:03:52 PM

Haslet Texas

thanks biddy! good advice! one other question I have to your recommendation is.....I have read where burying the vine in the south multiplies my chances of disease and other issues due to the extreme heat and humidity. I know I'm rabbit holing here, and probably should ask this in a separate thread but oh well.

6/26/2017 8:04:08 PM