Mid summer planting from seed?

[Michael Wise]

Anybody have luck with it? Squash and zucchini in particular?

Squash vine borer forced me to rip up 24 squash plants yesterday. Not before they gave me a butt load of squash, but I still want more!

I replanted this evening. I have them on drip so watering is not an issue.

So, any chance of having a good or at least OK 2nd crop?


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[ckone]

Did you do anything to get rid of the vine borer? my understanding is that once you have them, it is a PITA to get rid of them.

Re second crop, good luck. I know it would not work here. I am at the point where Okra is about all that can handle the temp.

[Michael Wise]

First, here's their life cycle.

The larva overwinter in the soil.

In the spring they emerge as moths. Google for a picture. They are different from most other moths in that they fly during the day. You can set traps for them using a YELLOW bottom bowl filled with soapy water. They are attracted to yellow and will get trapped in the soapy water.

They moths then lay their eggs at the base of your squash plants.

When the young hatch, the larva then bores into and through the stem of the plant. They gut the stem, leaving only the outer walls, and you got a dead plant.

So one thing is crop rotation. And since I removed the plants with the larva still in them, they can't make it into the soil. That particular life cycle is OVER. <evil laugh!>

<continued evil laugh!>

<brief pause, followed by more evil laugh!>

The best prevention I've seen is somehow covering the plant and keeping the moths from laying their eggs in the first place.

I haven't researched into insecticide yet.


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[Michael Wise]

Oh! And the second planting is coming along good. About to get 2nd and 3rd leaves already!

Weather has cooperated nicely. The main problem has been leftover stink bugs and aphids that killed a few of the new seedlings.

I just check the plants two or three times a day for bugs and crush their tiny little hearts with my foot.


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[ckone]

crush their tiny little hearts with my foot.


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You forgot the evil laugh.

[Michael Wise]

crush their tiny little hearts with my foot.


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You forgot the evil laugh.

They're coming along nice, BTW. Maybe a little on the slower side. I expect to see flowers by the first of next week.


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[Michael Wise]

This new planting has vine borers now.

Noticed the goo on the main stems yesterday and saw a vine borer moth this morning.

Looks like I've got more reading to do about their life cycle.


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[ckone]

This new planting has vine borers now.

Noticed the goo on the main stems yesterday and saw a vine borer moth this morning.

Looks like I've got more reading to do about their life cycle.


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Let us know what you find out. I did not bother with zucchini this year because of vine borers last year.

[probasesteal]

Any new plans this year to prevent the borers?


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[Michael Wise]

If I ever get a chance to plant......

Got tomatoes in the ground and that's all so far.

I'm thinking row covers is about the only way to totally prevent it short of some sort of insecticide. And I try to avoid the latter whenever there is another option on my grown food.

If I ever get to try that I will for sure update!