This plant was producing wonderfully until a couple of days ago. Then, no more flowers and the leaves started getting these yellow spots on them. I also noticed they turned a very dark green. Tonight I pulled back the mulch a bit and noticed LOTS of ants and something yellowish on the stem. I'll post a series of pics to show you what I've got going on.
Overall plant
Close up of top of leaves.
Underside of leaves
Close up of stem
Lastly, another squash plant nearby.
stephanie
Last year our squash was devastated by Cucumber Beetles and Squash bugs.
They over winter in the soil so we knew we were in for a fight this year when we replanted, sure enough the first to attack was cucumber beetles (cucumber beetles look like green lady bugs). We sprayed twice a day with neem and did a neem soil drench to kill the larvae.
They kept returning but at least we were keeping a handle on it.
Then we purchased Beneficial Nematodes and treated the ground around the effect plants.
It was amazing how quickly and effectively the nematodes worked.
I am sorry your plants are so messed up, but I recommend you remove every damaged plant, treat the area and start over.
Luckily there is plenty of time left in the season to grow more squash.
Dove
This is a squash bug
I have seen no squash bugs at all. We've also been using beneficial nematodes for the past 3 years. We make 2-4 applications each year. We've already made 2 applications this spring. We've also released trichogramma wasps, but no green lacewings. This is in a raised bed with lots of homemade compost and imported soil medium.
We yanked this plant and did indeed find a SVB in it.
SVB?
SVB=squash vine borer
I have seen those squash bugs on my potato plants which are dying now.. do they attack potatoes? I don't think I've seen any on my squash plants, though the plants are generally not doing well.
Also, I have these 4x6 beds that have about 2-3' of soil in them and are up on "stilts" so they're waist height. The rest are in pots. It's our first year and I used new soil. Could the nematodes be used in these beds and small containers?
Yes, you can use the nematodes in containers and in raised beds. They just need to be applied to the soil.
I thought I spotted some frass on the photo of the stem of that plant. No surprise it was SVB.
Yep! We had a second one in our zucchini. DH split the stem open, got the worm, then we closed the stem back up with a piece of panty hose. So far, the plant's doing well and we've seen no more signs of SVB.
Wow surgery on a zucchini, I'm impressed.
Well, don't be too impressed yet! LOL We gotta see if it makes it first!
*chuckling*
Keep me posted nurse Stephanie
I was out smashing all sizes of squash bugs this morning .I had seen a few and picked them off and gave them to the chickens but I must have missed a few more Whats the best way to get rid of them other then hand picking .
I also saw some red things looked kind of like a spider but I dont think they are ..
Would DE work?
Thanks for any help
Baby squash bugs ... hand picking is the best unless you want to go Chemical.
LK
I've heard they don't like flames, so you could take an Aim 'n Flame with you and scare them away. If a few get toasted in the process, oh well! They'd probably come back, too.
Look on the back side of your squash leaves for eggs, you will know then when you see them. If you see any remove the whole leaf and destroy it, far, far away from you plant. (we found great satisfaction in putting the leaf into the fire pit and burning them)
The babies don't like Neem oil, but we found the grown up are much more difficult to deal with.
Wait a minute, Texas has bugs??? ewwwwww now I am going to run home to the garden and look for squash bugs...
The more I read about gardeneng, and the various bugs you have to deal with, the more I am rethinking about a garden for next year.. Have to see how it works this year and how many bugs I have to deal with.
Granny always said you have to plant three of everything … one for the birds, one for the bugs and one for you.
LK
Oh my goodness, that is what I told Billy sort of when we were putting seeds, one for the birds, one for the bunnies and one for us....
Smart Granny you have there...
Thanks everyone
I did see black like seeds on the back of a couple leaves.
& I did smash all I could, will go back when it cools off a bit and look for more.
Flames good Texas answer Ill have to get DH in on that hes the fire builder ....lol
Deni,
Take some clippers out with you and snip off those leaves, your plant will be fine without them.
Then you can have hubby build a funeral pyre.
LOL Dovey!!
*Grins*
LOL
We have been clearing land for our house DH has stuff piled so hi I can't toss anything else on the top these fires get hot enough to be a funeral pyre. They burn for days. He stands watch with the water hose. The Squash bugs won't stand a chance ... :)
See everything is BIGGER in Texas....
yes MissJestr it sure is ... LOL
