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| "End Rot" |
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| "Black Fuzz" |
Truthfully, I have very few problems with most of the garden vegetables. They grow peacefully and prolifically, and need very little in the way of pest or disease control. Then there’s the squash. I find that Summer Squash especially requires daily diligence, and even then I am lucky if the plants last to mid-summer before they die in their prime with plenty of babies on the way. Last year I didn’t even plant the Summer Squash, wary of having to battle its many plagues.
The primary culprit is the Cucumber Beetle, whose larvae feed on the roots of the plants and transmit bacterial wilt, first appearing on the leaves as a powdery, white substance followed by wilting and dying of the plant. This summer I gained some ground in my battle with the beetles. Following a generous tip by a fellow reader of a garden magazine, I sprayed the young plants with onion/garlic spray in the spring. It worked, deterring the beetles until the plants matured and sported their large, yellow blooms. But then the beetles arrived with a vengeance and attacked the blossoms, which I have not sprayed for fear of disturbing the bees.
Another problem that plagued the Summer Squash this year was “End Rot”. I don’t know if that’s the formal name, but as my photo shows, it is a rotting of the ends of very young squash, which causes them to shrivel and die very quickly. What causes this? And what can be done about it?
Yet another problem with the Summer Squash is “Black Fuzz”, again a name I created to describe what I see occur on all sizes of squash. It smothers the entire squash like a sultry mink coat and the squash quickly rots.
Does anyone know the names, causes, and organic solutions of these problems? I’m NOT interested in commercial solutions, the contents of which are “proprietary” and therefore unknown to me. I’m also NOT interested in “organic” remedies containing “natural plant hormones” that are toxic to bees or birds. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated.
I think the problem may have to do with over watering, but I want to do a little research first and then I will get back to you. The fuzz on the squash is kind of cute, but.... doesn't belong.
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom
Hello again! Did the research as promised. The blossom end rot and the fuzzy mold are both fungi. Part of the problem is to do with watering. Watering has to be done evenly, deeply, slowly, using below the plant ground type irrigation and only once a week. If your temperatures become excessively hot and dry you can test the soil to a depth of 4" and if it is dry before the week is up, then water again. If it is still moist, do not water. Another part of the problem could be crowding of the squash plants. Mature squash plants should have about 4' between centers of each plant. The space allows for air to circulate around and through the plants. Then another common cause is calcium deficiency. I would try to correct the watering situation first, if that doesn't work then you could add lyme to the soil around the plants.
ReplyDeleteBut watering properly should ditribute the appropriate amount of calcium naturally present in the compost product you use and the soil. Hopefully this will work for you and your squash friends. Love, Mom
Thank you SO MUCH, Mom, for the info!!! Actually, I haven't been watering the garden at all, but we did go through a period of heavy rainfall. Plus, my garden is kinda' crowded (not much air flow in areas). And the low calcium makes sense, too. Last year I had end-rot problems with tomatoes and read somewhere that it was caused by low calcium, also. So there's two indicators that I need to add extra calcium to the soil. Thanks so much!!!
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