Squash vine bores
Edna M Weigel (eweigel@juno.com)
Wed, 14 Jul 1999 10:58:58 -0700
Maybe someone else has a less labor-intensive method of
controling the bores than I've read. Fortunately, I've not had the
problem. But I've read instructions to cut the vine open (lengthwise) to
find the larva where you see the saw-dust-like frass. Once you've
exposed the bore, FORGET THE SEVIN. Use your knife! Or pull it out and
feed it to the chickens. Or put it on the ground and step on it. Then,
to try to save the plant, you push the vine back together (that is why
you want to make the cut lengthwise) and put some moist dirt over it.
My copy of Rodale's Garden Problem Solver also talks about
injecting BT with a hypodermic needle or denying the moth access with
agricultural fleece (but I wonder how the bees would pollinate the
blossoms). They go on to suggest a trap crop of early summer squash
around late winter varieties. Harvest a few early summer squash then
burn or otherwise destroy (see next paragraph) the infected summer squash
plants. For more summer squash, replant late in the season. The book
also suggests hand picking the eggs (.1" long brown or reddish disk
shaped in rows or clusters near the base of the plant.)
For the future, they suggest putting all suspectible vines in a
plastic bag at the end of the season and let them cook in the sun for a
week or so to destroy any remaining bores. After harvest, completely
clean up the area and leave the ground bare for a few days to let birds
eat any larva or pupa. Then cultivate it and leave it bare for a few
more days before mulching or planting a cover crop.
Although I can't claim personal experience, all this makes sence
to me.
Best wishes on transitioning to certified organic.
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