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Eastern Pennsylvania

I have one plant that was transplanted after the others, I don't think the Merit is getting up in there. Maybe I missed the primary zone I don't know. I am getting eaten by something but not sure what. My Sevin got washed off by rain. I have seen only 1 beetle so far. If it is cuke beetles, should I sacrafice the leaf that's getting eaten up to prevent the spread of the disease? I'll be spraying more merit tomorrow. It will take a few days to be effective I assume. Or will it work locally. I don't know if the beetles are out in force during the heat of the day since I'm at work. Either way should I chop the leaf? It is at the 5 leaf stage. -Jim

6/6/2006 10:28:44 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Bacterial Wilt transmission is fast. Once bite could do it. But removing one leaf that was getting chewed isn't likely to save the plant since a Cucumber Beetle isn't likely to keep his feeding local.

For the record, Merit has both contact & systemic properties so will perform as you suspect. Add Talstar or Warrior for really fast results.

I wouldn't remove the leaf.

6/6/2006 10:51:54 PM

huntsburg,ohio

Steve we were told at a meeting with ohio state that bacterial wilt takes 45 days to incubate before you notice it then it goes quick.Jerry

6/7/2006 8:54:53 AM

President - GPC

Check out this site. Ive seen them in my garden often.

http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/cucbeet.html

Their going down. I also have them jumping flea beetles that make pin holes in the leaves of my egg plants and veggies. I dont like using chems but have to at times. Any other suggestions?

6/7/2006 10:20:16 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Well I'm not sure it's a cucumber beetle, could just be a grasshopper or something but I'm going to cut that leaf off tonight and then re-apply the merit both to the leaves and soil as Steve has suggested. Right now it is 669 Muller vs 853 Wallace for the spot. This is only the 1st point the 853 has scored yet. The 669 is a beast so far.

6/7/2006 10:41:35 AM

Maryland

Jim for what it's worth I have both kinds of cucumber beetles
I have had to spray 1 time a week for the last 3 weeks..
It seems after 2 applications they are gone!
The bugs seem to show new about once a week
Could there be a cycle of early and late or do they all come out at once?

6/7/2006 11:47:56 AM

Long Island,New York

There is a terrible gnawing feeling when you don't do all you can do in times of crisis. Remove the leaf. If you don't and you come down with the wilt you will always question yourself. If you do remove it and you come down with the wilt, then you can sleep in comfort knowing you did all you could do. All 5 of those leaves will not be there in a month and a half anyway-you won't miss it....G

6/7/2006 1:26:44 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Jerry, 45 days to wilting sounds a little longer than my personal experience. But I suppose it's possible. I wonder how long an infected Cuke beetle can feed before innoculation takes place? Aphids that vector CMV2 do so in as little as 6 seconds but the visible symptoms can take days or even weeks to become apparent.

This is an intersting post...how long is too long?

6/7/2006 10:30:36 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Damn Steve I don't know but I drenched the plants with the remainder of my Merit supply today. T-storms are all around but I think I'm gonna get lucky. I cut the leaf. What's one leaf vs 1,000 in the long run right G? I hope you can't overload a plant with Merit we'll find out I guess. I don't really think the damage was from cucumber beetles in the first place to be honest. What ever it is, they ate more today, only on the same leaf, and what ever it is, they will die. Hopefully not with my plants at the same time. Has an excess of Merit ever killed a plant?

6/7/2006 11:34:06 PM