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Middle TN

I hate to keep starting threads but I have several questions so I'll just ask a couple questions in one post and hope thats ok :) Im sure some of them are silly but Im more than willing to be laughed at as long as I learn along the way! LOL :)

1. if a leaf stem is broken, do I cut it off, cut and
bury it or just leave it be?

2. I found a split in the vine (pic in my diary) its
not a crosswise split but I dont know what to do
about it. Do I bury it, clean it out, leave it alone
or what? Should this be one of the vines that I cull
out?

3. today I found what I assume is eggs on the back of
a leaf. (pic in my diary) Will Sevin dust take care
of them? or do I need something else?

4. last question I promise.... how many side vines do I
leave or cut them all? also the vines off the side
vines? let them grow or cut them?

I'd REALLY appreciate any advice ya'll could pass along.
Ive read a lot of great info on this site but I'll be
honest, most of it is way over my head.

link to my diary below...
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2009&grower=50851&action=L

6/21/2009 4:06:09 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

I stood a couple windblown leaf stalks back up today and mounded dirt around them. If they take, great, if not, trim later. That vine split looks superficial, part of the growing process. Don't see any need to give special attention. Even if it opepns fully, it will likely scar over. Keep an eye on it and bury when all settles down.
Those appear to be sqash bug eggs. I like to scrape them off to be sure they're done. Keep a wiatchful eye as there will likey be others. Best of luck! Duff

6/21/2009 6:00:52 PM

valparaiso, in

funny thing about squash bugs is if you water along the vines and wait about ten minutes they will climb to the tops of the stems. They must think they are going to drown if they stay put. You can catch them that way but you still need to spray your plants.

6/22/2009 3:10:47 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

1.) Just cut it clean with a sharp knife.
2.) Keep it dry & use crossing sticks to keep it from moving.
3.) I use bifenthrin. It's faster than Sevin, lasts longer, doesn't cause mite outbreaks & is gentler on the plants.
4.) Most folks leave all the secondaries except for those that get in the way.

6/22/2009 9:08:07 AM

Middle TN

thank you guys sooo much!! BP is a life saver!!

I dusted with Sevin this morning but I'll look for some bifenthrin. I also found what I believe to be a Squash Vine Bore. I saw it buzzing around but thought it was some kind of wasp. On hind sight I think the vine I lost was due to the bore :(

So it is OK to cut the secondaries that get in the way. I have a very limited space and cutting some of them would help a great deal. One is actually trying to grow up the wall!

6/22/2009 9:39:59 AM

Rhode Island

up the wall? how far from your wall is the plant?

6/22/2009 11:09:25 AM

Middle TN

entirely too close pap, maybe 2 feet. I didnt have a clue what I was doing when I planted them. Honestly Im still pretty clueless lol but Im getting better. Its an old house next door we use for storage (and a neighborhood haunted house in Oct)so if it grows up the wall its not a big deal but it cant possibly be good for the vine.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=108441

6/22/2009 8:25:48 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Tammy

You're going to need to start mowing the lawn with a tiller.

6/23/2009 10:12:47 PM

Middle TN

Thats an excellent idea Tremor! Hopefully hubby will agree :)

6/23/2009 11:05:51 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Lawns are vastly overrated... and you can never have too much patch!

6/24/2009 12:05:15 AM

Oklahoma State Record Holder

Okiegal said:

"Lawns are vastly overrated... and you can never have too much patch!"

I will have to use that one!!!

6/25/2009 9:35:27 PM