Re: New to this stuff!
>I know I will probably be on everyone's ---- list but I am fairly new to
>giant pumpkin raising and have tons of questions. This will be the third
>year that I have attempted to grow a "big" one with no luck.
>My first question is what kind of insect am I dealing with? Both years I
>have tried pumpkins they get infested with a bug that is about 5/8" long or
>so and grayish brown in color. It is kind of slender and appears to be hard
>shelled. I think it is called a "stink bug". Does that sound right? If so
>what is the best way to fight them off and are they harmful?
>I mulch my plants with straw. They seem to thrive in the mulch. Would I be
>better off not mulching?
>
>I have read that it is a good idea to dig a hole approximately 2 feet deep
>and 2 feet across and fill it with a combination of manure and potting soil
>and then plant your seedlings or seeds in that. Is this a good way to go?
>
>I would really appreciate any help.
>
>Thanks,
>Mark in Virginia
>mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Mark,
Sounds like a squash bug. Do they have a ton of babies?? Squish one and see
if it gives off perfume smell. They have copper looking eggs on the
undersides of leaves. TYhey like to hide under boards and would imagine
mulch. Perhaps hold off on the mulch and look a couple times a day for
the bug and squish it. I have been able to keep control that
way...............some bug sprays work like safer soap as it suffocates
them instead of poisons them...........the poisons sometimes work or
sometimes don't. They are tough .......MB
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