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Ct

Last year was my first year growing pumpkins and I learned a great deal, especially when the svb's burrowed into the vines. I'd get a stiff piece of wire, send it up the hole in the vine where the burrowed in, and drag them out with the wire. Now, last year I did not bury any vines, so I was able to clearly see wherever they came in. This year however, all vines are buried. My question is, can svb's bore holes in vines if they are buried, or do they just go for any exposed portion of the vine? I'm a little concerned about the possibility of having them kill my crop when I cannot even detect that they are there under the buried vines.

6/26/2009 8:25:08 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

The moths like to lay eggs on softer tender tissue of the plant. If vines are not inspected carefully as you bury, you might be putting them in the soil with eggs on, and they will do damage out of sight. If you do bury the vine before the moth can lay eggs, she will lay on the leaf stalks and they will penetrate that way, then drop down the hollow stalk and get to the vine that way. I don't believe control is achieveable without a top notch spray program and regular visual inspection.

6/26/2009 9:44:49 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

A good contact insecticide goes a long way. Waiting for borers to become "fishable" with a wire is a very large gamble.

6/26/2009 3:47:22 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Indeed the saying goes, 'if you wait, it's too late' make sure you get them before they get you. Once you have to make surgical stikes on them, they are winning.

6/27/2009 12:18:17 AM