From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Simi valley, ca

Iv put the (baer avanced tree and garden) product on patch before planting- same as merit,, but iv still got many cucumber beetles ,,My question is will seven dust under plants hurt the soil or plant???, im afraid to use the spray as were very hot here & leaves get cooked soon enough !! ???

6/21/2006 10:22:31 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The thing with Merit is that it is a systemic. The beetles must eat part of the plant to become poisoned. It has very little contact effect. Seven Dust under the plant will work. But as you water it will seep into the ground. Have you tried a foliar of molasses at 2 OZ per Gallon of water to increase the Brix level of you plants. The Cuke Beetles prefer a bitter plant.

6/21/2006 11:57:03 AM

Jericho Vermont

I agree with Shannon on molasses and cuke beetles. I have used a great deal of molasses the past 3 yrs as a drench and a foliar all season long and have had little problem with cuke beetles. I am using merit as well this yr along with Talstar One and have not witnessed a bug on any of my plants. I do think the molasses plays a key role in plant protection and health. John

6/21/2006 8:17:53 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Glenn,

While I'm surprised that Imidacloprid alone isn't keeping the Cucumber Beetles down (rate?) I will concur that elevating brix with molasses is a valid control strategy. However if bacterial wilt occurs in your area then time is of the essence so I'd get some Sevin or Talstar out there quickly.

6/21/2006 11:16:12 PM