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CT

My plant looks generaly healthy except for one thing. Some leaves tend to break at the stalk and lay down. They are not wilted and even don't wilt after laying down for a few days. They eventually die after about 10 days by turning yellow or brown as if they just ran out of steam from the broken stem. I have some squash bugs but I spray them. The SVB's are around but I have not seen them in the stems I disected or in the vine that I can see. Any guesses ??

8/21/2000 11:46:41 PM

Buffalo, Minnesota

I can see where the leaves would turn brown and die as being a symptom from the squash bugs, as they infect it somehow, but the stalks just breaking like that??? well all in can say is svb's, or else its just some person lumbering about the patch and not knowing hes doing this, lol anyway hope you find out.

8/22/2000 12:53:06 AM

Choctaw, OK

wind???? Are the stalks long? sometimes they just fall over and become brown because of the moisture and other stuff on the ground. i break them easily when i walk through the patch. I don't think squash bugs would do that

8/22/2000 1:37:38 AM

Choctaw, OK

i don't break them on purpose or anything, i have had wind knock them over...got any pets? dog? horse? a cow? lol........ instant fertilizer with the cow..lol

8/22/2000 1:39:36 AM

CT

Some of the leave are in a spot I do not walk in. HOWEVER my cat does. Must be it the cat. I have not witnessed this YET but if I do...nothing I can do about it lol. Keeps the chipmunks and other small critters away.

8/22/2000 11:22:32 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

des.,
i have experienced the same. the area where the leave stem kinks and folds over usually had a little reddish/brown unhealthy area. very close disection revealed borers in every one. the picture in the "pumpkin" book might lead one to think the borers are an inch long or bigger. they are not! 3/16" or smaller and chomping their way to full size.
a more experienced grower had to point them out to me !
good luck
duff.

8/23/2000 8:50:29 PM

CT

WOW ! you could be right also, I was looking for something about 1/2 inch long. I'll investigate further.

8/23/2000 10:34:23 PM

Choctaw, OK

I have a feeling it is the little SVB....never really though of them at the samll stage doing that, great post duff, something everyone should know

8/24/2000 10:37:38 PM

CT

Duff,
You were right, BORERS. At least 3 probably 10.

8/26/2000 9:13:32 AM