LIVE _ FROM SQUASHBORER LAND USA!!!
Here is my topic for discussion, seeings how Mr Aker has so wonderfully
gotten some invigerating conversation (thanks so much for the topic
"Tooger")..... I did a small study on my plants this year, in reference
to the biggest problem in our area, the Squash Vine Borer. I grew two
plants in a very small area, it roughly covers 500 sq ft (but expanded
to 850 this off season!! the swingset goes next year, the heck with the
kids... just kidding honey ...) Back to the serious matter, in that 500
sq ft patch, I grew the Ciliberto 697 and the Mombert 866, but buried
extensively the 697 vines as they grew, and did a so so job on the back
plant, the Mombert 866. Once again, I got hit withthe SVB in July
through mid August, but here is the strange part, the only places I got
hit with the SVB was on unburied vines! I ripped up what seems to be
about 4 miles of mains and secondaries, and examined every inch of vine,
not a single SVB on the buried vines. On the other hand, I did encounter
numerous hits of SVB to the open air, unburied vines. The only place I
got hit with the SVB on my very tended to plant -the Ciliberto 697 - was
on vines that couldnt be buried due to the nature of its raised up
position heading to the pumpkin, in other words, the part that is about
2-3 ft on each side of the pumpkin. I even lost one of my eventual culls
to a Borer that went into the stem itself.
Now I know the eggs are usually laid by the female Borer either on a
leaf, leaf stem, or axis where it meets the vine, after which it works
its way down to the vine. but if what I found out to be true this year
by burying vines can protect the AG vines fromSVB attack, how can I now
protect the areas that can not be buried , such as the leading vines to
the pumpkin itself and the stem? I was actually thinking of some type of
expandable material that would breath, but then you run the risk of some
type of bacterial infection, something I am not willing to risk..
Thoughts anyone? (trying to get you off the hook Tim!! heehee. )
--
***Rocky Rockwell***
http://home.cyber-quest.com/rocky.r
"Woodchuck - The Other White Meat"
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