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Fredericksburg, Virginia

Greetings everyone,

I have had my three plants decline and really look bad after pulling out several SVB. The tunneling that the borer’s do to the main vine is just the start of the problem. After they do their damage, the vine gets brown, rotted, wet and mushy. If I clean it out, it continues to expand.

I did not get a fruit to set this season, and I do not know if it is due to the stressed vine, the warm temperatures, or potentially some virus or fungus in the soil.

If anyone could help me make a diagnosis, I would really appreciate it! I have links to my diary entries with the pictures of the vine rot below.

Thanks,

TomV

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=54170

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=56212

9/9/2006 9:06:39 PM

sevierville, Tn

i know the feeling, lost 2 of my plants that way this year. Those SVB are a major pain. My guess is to start there and try to stop the damage before it gets too bad and brings the whole plant down. Maybe merit, seemed to work once i got the dosage right. an't be much help with the fusarium.

9/10/2006 11:12:58 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Tom,

Diagnosis = dead vine....its too late now to be certain. I scanned the entire diary & at this point can only guess that SVB may have vectored a wilt but Fusarium or some other vine or root rot might also have done this.

It looks like this was a "learning year" for you. Being in VA means you need to start much earlier next year.

Using a post hole auger to loosen the soil in a small spot kinda tells me the rest of the soil must have been way too heavy for maximum root aeration & growth especially considering all the rain you had in June.

A late start, compact soil & unseasonably wet conditions tilted the tables against you even before the SVB's came along & finished the season.

Here is what I recommend starting RIGHT NOW:

Roundup, rototill & amend the soil in an area that is big enough to grow in. 20' x 30' per plant is great but a little less would work. Soil test BEFORE adding the amendments but you should start getting a line on aged leaf compost & manure right now.

Now that you know the nature of the pest problems you may encounter we can spend all winter designing a preventive control strategy. SVB are actually very easy to control but the spraying begins BEFORE the egg laying period.

Is there a Southern growers club or a local accomplished grower that can help mentor you next year? Any good club would probably have a "chemical freak" like me that can help you but you'd still need some local knowledge of when insect & fungal pests are most likely to first appear in your area.

9/14/2006 7:19:16 AM