Help!

[dgibby]

Something is murdering my summer squash and zucchini!

I noticed that my big, beautiful squash and zucchini plants just wilted the other day, even though I've watered them religiously. On closer inspection, I found the stems macerated at the soil line, then noticed 2 fat white grubs(?) making noms of my plants.

I pulled up all the affected plants, but would like to replant. I still have two unaffected squash plants in that bed, and the peppers, cukes, and onions are all ok (so far).

Several questions: what got the plants, what can I do to prevent it from happening again, and can I plant more squash in that bed or do I have to plant somewhere else? I don't use any pesticides, so anything I use will have to be organic.

Any suggestions/info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[nc4bo]

1. Squash bugs or squash vine borers?

I had good success last year just using dish detergent and water mixed together and spraying the plants, leaves and stems.

I read somewhere to plant lots of radish seeds under and around the squash (supposedly critters don't like radishes) so that's what I did this year.

[wildeyed]

2. Squash vine borer maybe?

Not sure, but I have had the same problem. Plant doing great, even get a few squash at the beginning of the season, then, out of nowhere, the plant wilts and dies. Also have the stem maceration. You might try diatomaceous earth http://www.earthworkshealth.com/organic-pest-control.php. That is what I am going to try this year if I have issues. In the past I caught the problem too late, but I am keeping an eagle eye on the squash this year. DE is totally organic. You can even use the food grade version to de-worm pets and children.

[Paper Roses]

3. Sounds like something is munching on them.

Years ago when I first planted tomatoes, the morning after I planted them, they were all chewed off at the point where the plant touches the ground. I went to the garden supply shop and asked what happened. He told me to always wrap the plant base at the soil line. One inch into the ground, one inch up the stem. Use aluminum foil, I double it over and make a loose wrap.

Grubs snack on the plants and just chew them right off. Maybe it is the same type if thing with your squash. Couldn't hurt to wrap the remaining plants, just in case something has found they make good eating.

[dgibby]

4. Thanks to all of you for all the good suggestions.

I'm going to try them all. It broke my heart to have to pull those plants. They were huge and full of blossoms. Oh, well, at least the birds got a nice juicy snack. Those grubs were fat and sassy.

[beac]

5. SVB's (squash vine borers) took out my squash last year too-- heart-breaking.

I am using all the methods referenced above to try and thwart them this year as well as a Dustbuster to suck up their nasty friends the Squash Bug.

Here's hoping you don't have to pull any more plants BUT, if you do, be sure and harvest those blossoms for cooking before you toss them. You can fill them w/ricotta cheese mixed with basil and a little lemon juice and tempura fry them or use them in one of my favorite summer recipes:

Spaghetti with Zucchini Blossoms (Serves 4 as a first course or 2 as an entree)


Ingredients:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 clove garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon dried chile flakes, grated
rind of 1 lemon, grated
16 to 20 large zucchini blossoms, trimmed of the stem and
stamen and cut into strips
salt
spaghetti, enough for four as a first course, cooked al dente
grated Grana Padano cheese (or substitute Parmigiano)

Preparation:

Gently melt the butter over the lowest flame in a nonstick
heavy-based frying pan (skillet). While the butter melts, cut
the garlic clove into chunks and add to the butter. Let it
infuse as the butter melts. Remove the garlic. (You can slice
it thinly if you like it left in, but it will overpower the
delicate flavor of the blossoms.) Add the dried chile flakes
and the grated lemon rind to the melted butter.

Stir around with a wooden spoon, then add the zucchini
blossoms. Stir around until the ingredients are amalgamated
and add a dash of salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked and
well-drained spaghetti (should be just cooked and hot) and
toss in the pan until coated. Serve sprinkled with grated
Grana Padano.


Variation : After adding the blossoms, add ½ cup of milk to
the butter mixture. Simmer until thickened a little. Add in
¼ cup grated Parmigiano cheese and 2T fresh chopped basil.
Cook for a minute more, then pour over the spaghetti.

2nd variation : Add 1c grated zucchini along with the blossoms
and cook about 1-2 minutes before proceeding.


Note that you can also pick off almost all your male blossoms and use them for the above while you wait for the plant to make female flowers (the ones with the fruit on them.) :)

[dgibby]

6. Thanks!

Sounds yummy! I'm definitely going to try it.

Do these same varmits attack melon vines, too? If they get my heirloom melons, then I'm definitely declaring war!

[beac]

7. Not SVB's but, alas, squash BUGs will sometimes attack melons, so I'd keep an eye out for them.

Check the undersides of your squash and melon leaves for their eggs (little brown things laid in clusters) and check in the morning for adults (shake the plant lightly and they should try and crawl to higher ground, then you can squish them with your fingers or suck them up with your handy Dustbuster w/ crevice attahcment.)

If all you have is SVB's, then I think you're safe. They don't appear to like melons.

[Blue Gardener]

8. From the Minnesota Extension Service

This might be helpful:

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M1209.html

[dgibby]

9. Thanks!

That's exactly what my plants looked like.

[geardaddy]

10. I love the MN extension service.

They'll test your soil for free!