Self-pollination, maybe? I'm starting out very small. Only 2-3 vines...
Is it possible, or am I being too anal, to ask that posts having to do with squash bugs and squash vine borers be made to the thread I started in the Texas gardening forum entitled “My second wish for 2013” which is all about dealing with these two destructive insects? I’ve used the search feature on top of the page using the key words “squash bugs” but it returned approximately 500 posts spread out over multiple forums so that was not very helpful. I could move the thread to the Vegetable Gardening forum so it is not perceived to be strictly a Texas issue and maybe rename it so it is apparent as to what the topic is, but I sure as heck don’t know how to do all that. Is this maybe what a “sticky” thread is for?
It seems to me that it would helpful if there was a single thread to act as a clearing house and sounding board for everyone to exchange ideas and information on dealing with these pests. I have posted on that thread that due to my love of squash and my hatred of squash bugs, squash vine borers and the damage they cause that I have made it my mission in life to find through research successful ways of dealing with them and offer my findings for discussion in one place in a concise, readers' digest-type format. Would anyone be interested in that happening or is it just my pipe dream?
Start a new thread in the Vegetable Gardening forum, entitled "Squash Bugs/Squash Vine Borers"
Gymgirl,
Is it possible to get current posts from this and other forums over to that new thread, or would the new thread only be to future posts?
Admins can do magic.
Guess i remember all the threads but cant go back on this lil phone as ez as my puter. does hrp want a journal for that quest? And bugs are pertinent to all stages of plants, and planting and building for plants. When i want to remembera a specific, i write or save what i want.
It was 88º today here in Fort Worth. The high tomorrow is only supposed to be in the 50s. My poor tomatoes will never get acclimated if the weather doesn't cooperate!
Still 3 more weeks of up n down. You might consider designing a few plant covers and setting them in ground by mid of 2nd wk in March. Then just covering in the worst weather. Several designs of weather protection have been used by many folx around here.
The problem with protecting plants in TX is that what keeps them warm overnight kills them if your not home the next day to remove them. They can die of the cold or get too hot under cover.
They can do that indoors too. AND i do know how fast they can cook outside. Use a cover that has no top? That has worked for me by simply wrapping plastic aroynd them that is 4' deep and several feet away. The depth protects from wind and dew rising. A psrtial board kept in heat and kept out heat. til I returned.
My tomatoes are just doing great.
The perforated plastic cover today was perfect to keep them ventilated. It was 80F at my house.
The plastic protected the plants from the heavy wind and the holes let the hot air out.
Most of the plants grew at leat 6-7" and they are growing beautiful.
They are pretty hardy in my garden - the survived 32F with no problem.
I will post pictures soon ... my computer is at the doctor ...
I'd love to see other vegetable garden picture too.
Stephanie-it was 87 here. Forget my plants I can't get acclimated...shingles all over the ground.
We had some really hard winds last night, 25-35 mph, but I peeped out this morning and the hoop is still standing. And, looks like the tomatoes are still standing inside, too.
I'm getting really warm buildup under the perforated plastic. The N-S orientation allows the wind to blow straight through the tunnel. Better that, then it blowing over!
I ordered a bolt of tulle to use in my bug arsenal. Will use like floating row cover.
I have SVB on my mind.....I just love a challenge....
Gymgirl,
I wasn't familiar with the word "tulle" so I googled it to find out what it is. I found this:
Tulle is a fine mesh net fabric that is best known as the material used to make wedding veils. Tulle is also used to embellish wedding gowns, evening gowns, costumes, hats, lingerie, window treatments, floral arrangements, gifts and wedding favors. This versatile fabric has been around for more than three centuries.
Would you please explain how you use this material in your gardening?
I'll be using it like floating row covers over my seedlings. If the moths can't get to the plants, they can't lay eggs on the stems!
I got the idea from reading about the SVB laying eggs on the stems (TWO cycles here in Texas), and how floating row covers seem to be one of the best front-line defenses during the egg-laying season. Tulle is pretty cheap, and, unlike floating row cover, can be used over and over again. I paid $55 (w/tax & shipping) for a 9' wide x 50 yard bolt of fabric.
The tulle will keep the cabbage moths off the cabbages and the pillbugs off the leaves as well. Hopefully, no buckshot holes...
Gymgirl,
Tulle does seem to be a cost effective alternative to using the gauze-like floating row cover material. Do you have to order it online or can you go to a fabric store and buy it?. I assume it lets through the same amount of sunlight and water (rain or otherwise) as does floating row cover?
No, you don't have to order it online, yes, your local fabric store will have it, and, from what I've read, yes water and sunlight will penetrate.
Check for sales, coupons, etc.
hrp50,
I have used "organdy" as a row cover for years. Sun and water does penetrate.
I have a lot left over from my sewing ... and of all possible colors.
Ask your DW if she has a 40% coupon from Jo-Ann Fabrics and go crazy (If not register on-line and you will soon receive a catalog and the coupon at the end).
Any kind of light weight netting will be perfect as a row cover - you will be amazed what you can find at the fabric store.
... and don't tell that you are looking for "fine organdy or tulle" to use on your vegetable garden to discourage bugs ... just let them think you are doing a sewing project ...
I didn't get the memo that I couldn't use my row cover over and over again. :)
Gymgirl & drthor,
At this stage in my life I don't care if the fabric store clerk wonders why I'm buying tulle. :)
Is fine organdy the same as or just similar to tulle in cost, in it's use for this purpose ?. It sounds as if tulle would not any provide any protection against the temperature while I've read that gauze floating row cover holds in some of the earth's heat by not allowing it to escape into the atmosphere, thus the temperature stays 3 to 4 degrees warmer underneath than the outside temperature . Is that your understanding? I guess that would be one advantage of using floating row cover as 3 or 4 degrees of warmth just might make a difference in whether or not plants suffer cold damage. Again I assume you would use the tulle over the perforated plastic as tulle by itself won't slow down the wind? I think that my brain is leaking out of my ears trying to absorb all of this.
hrp50, floating row cover comes in varying thicknesses for different levels of protection, so the amount of potential warmth varies with the material.
NicoleC,
No memo...
FWIW, I think the tulle might outlast the FRC by about 2 days, only because there's little chance of tearing it.....LOL!
HRP50,
Not worried about frost protection. By the time I put my warm weather veggies out under the tulle, it'll be warm enough.
Not in any hurry at this point for that group. I learned my lesson last season with wasting water and ferts on okras and bell peppers that just sat and sulked until it got good and hot enough for their liking! Same for the squash. I'll start seedlings indoors, and once they're big enough to withstand an attack of the SVB, they'll go outside immediately under tulle that is secured around the bed on ALL sides. Might even use some duct tape...LOL!
Again. Moth can't reach the stem, moth can't lay the eggs!
This message was edited Mar 5, 2013 1:44 PM
hrp50,
I use the organdy as a "row cover" ... to protect only from bugs - it doesn't protect plants from cold or heat or water.
It is a fine mesh that lets the air and the sunshine inside and keep the bugs out.
You are confusing with a frost cloth. When you go to Jo-Ann fabric you can feel with your hands the texture of the fabric and understand its purpose. You can also look around and fine some fine netting that you may love much better (trust me - I know fabric)
I did use organdy as a cover a few years ago with the baby cucumbers ... but I found out that I don't really need it on them.
I plan to use it on my zucchini this year ... or maybe I will let you try it first ...
Tulle is a mesh like fabric that you see a lot on Wedding Dresses and wedding Veils ( or vowels as hrp50 says) lol. It's wouldn't work against protecting plants from freezing but it would protect against intruders. i wished it worked for Spider Mites.
1lisac,
Yeah, go ahead and make fun of me, I can take it! :)
I'm sorry that typo was really funny to me for some reason. The thought of you buying tulle isn't far behind. Butif it works, who cares?
Where DO they lay the eggs? in ground and ON plant? I see damage I pull and burn, cuz sumtimes they'll get one plant but not the other...
They lay them on the stems of the plant or on the stems of the leaves.
k, got some more thinking to do
When the eggs hatch, they bore into the stalk or the stem and begin eating away. One of the first signs is droopy leaves, even with watering and then you start seeing the frass. Very disappointing!
No, you don't have to order it online, yes, your local fabric store will have it, and, from what I've read, yes water and sunlight will penetrate.
Check for sales, coupons, etc.
Hi, All!
Hrp50 has created a dedicated discussion thread for the Squash Bug/Borer. I've taken the liberty to move most of the SVB posts from here to the other thread, for continuity.
Hrp50's hope is to have a consolidated discussion on the Squash Bug/Borer. So,
while our "STARTING OUR SPRING VEGGIE GARDEN PART 3" discussion will continue here, there's a new thread for the Squash Bug discussion:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1301268/
Enjoy!
Nola,
I'll be covering multiple plants with the tulle. Hopefully, it'll keep the cabbage moth from laying looper eggs, too! And, I think I read that it might hinder some of the flea beetles from the eggplants.
I bought a whole 9'W by 50 yard bolt online for $54 (includes tax and shipping). It should last the rest of my life!
Linda
I have been busy the last few days- I replaced my 4x6' greenhouse (which had the plastic totally destroyed by winds ) with an exact new one-again from Fred Meyers. I just used the old framing and shelving and put the new skin on it. This time I built a "slipcover" around it to protect it from the winds. Since I am a sewing addict also, and a pack rat! I have lots of supplies I have collected over the years I worked in fabric shops. I have 50 yaers of 1" wide velcro, so I created panels for all 4 sides that I can put on and peel off when I want. I'll show photos soon---
Anyway, here's an interesting photo of some of my tomato babies- on the left are New Big Dwarf, and the potato leaf ones are Pruden's Purple They are all doing very well so far.
Very nice tomatoes.
How old are they?
The tomatoes are growing really nice under the perforated plastic cover.
I really don't know how you could grow tomatoes here without covering with plastic ... the wind is just so strong.
I have a few jugs filled with water inside the hoop house. The evaporation creates a nice warm area for the plants.
These tomatoes have been outside since February 16th.
Each plant has at least 18" stem underground. I have started to trim the bottom leaves.
Flowers are forming.
Broccoli plants are making lots of side shoots. I am harvesting a bag a week.
I can tell that they really want to make flowers.
Jo it is fun to watch the Dwarfs grow next to the regular tomatoes. It's pretty obvious, even when they are young, which one the dwarfs are.
I am harvesting a lot of lettuce.
I just pull the whole plant, trying to thin everything.
There is nothing better than baby lettuce - and you cannot find anything so good at the store !
Arugula is bolting !
I have to post these pictures of "Moon and Stars Yellow Flesh watermelon" (http://rareseeds.com/vegetables-p-z/watermelon/moon-and-stars-yellow-flesh.html).
The leaves are full of yellow dots ... just like the watermelon.
It is just a beautiful plant to grow.
