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Ossining, NY

Well, I have a nice little hole in my pumpkin base, despite my pestacide application. I suspect the worst, and that would be the dreaded vine borer. Here's an image of the hole:

http://bp0.blogger.com/_8vPr1090Z28/RqlxPhwHmII/AAAAAAAAAS8/6CSJ7iwCvb4/s1600/001_edit_sm.jpg

I've read that the only way to get rid of these if they get in the vine (if it's the case) is to inject the pumpkin with nematodes. But what I'm really wondering is how long do I have before this thing would eat up the pumpkin and cause it to die? I ordered the nematodes but they wont be here until next week. I'm a little worried...

7/27/2007 10:02:01 AM

Georgia

That sucks and I know your pain. Ive been fighting these pests for a month and a half now and found two grubs in my vine. Lets just say I actually tortured them Hostel style. Im also ordering nematodes but I dont think theyll get here in time. I know once you see wilting leaves its close to over. You can try to manually cut the worms out they are usually just a few inches away from were they borer in. Good luck

7/27/2007 10:54:43 AM

In The Patch (Cambridge, Ohio)

Avara and Jason,
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=6&p=208161
Hope it helps.
AW

7/30/2007 3:03:39 AM

Georgia

Avara did you recieve the Nematodes yet?? Im curious because I would like to try some before giving up. It doesnt seem that anyone on this board has tried them yet. Im afraid to use them I dont want to kill all my plants.

7/30/2007 10:42:24 AM

Ossining, NY

Jason, I haven't gotten them yet and I'm a bit worried. Gardens Alive still hasn't shipped the order and I can't get them to do it any faster. I called some local nurseries and while they were aware of benefitial nematodes, no one would stock them because of the shelf life.

As far as killing off your plants goes - well, I can assure you that the nematodes will not kill your pumpkin. They feed on pests by entering the flesh and depositing bacteria that kills it. They wont harm plants, worms, birds or anything of that nature.

Tonight I'll be getting out a scalpal and making an incision to the main vine. Hopefully I find the thing and all goes well. At least I have a backup plant, but this pumpkin was doing great until the borer started feeding.

7/30/2007 2:46:27 PM

Georgia

I think I removed most of those nasty grubs but who knows. I looked at one of my stumps and this sounds funny but I hope its just a little rot because it was getting mushy and I couldnt find any grubs. So I sprayed daconil on it and hope it dries. Im gonna dose it with ortho max tonight and put sand around it. I hope their not in the stump but the plant looks good no wilting. Im surprised with Gardens alive usually their quick. Good luck everyday I go home I just hope for the best.

7/31/2007 9:29:56 AM

Williamsburg,KY

I found the SVB on my zuke and took a piece of electric fence wire, made a hook on the end and found the grub, the plant looks good...Good luck to all. Im hoping to try the nematodes next year. The june bugs and may bugs were horrible this year.

8/2/2007 7:49:11 AM