QUESTION: My squash plants are beginning to wilt. What’s wrong with my squash? How am I able to save them? -Kelly W
ANSWER: There are several pests and problems that would be contributing to your squash plant problem. Here are several common squash problems to think about.
One of the most important squash problems is that the pest squash borer. The adult vine borer may be a red and black flying moth that will be spotted flying from plant to plant, or vine to vine, during the day. The adult moths do create small holes on the leaves from feeding. But, the bulk of the damage is completed by the larvae, which feed inside the plant’s main stem. search for sawdust-like crumbles of waste dropping to the soil from a little hole at the bottom of the plant because the vine borer hollows out the most stem of the plant. In many cases, this may eventually cause the plant to die.
To prevent squash borers, wrap rock bottom of the most stem of every of your squash plants with aluminum foil or cover your squash plants with floating row covers until they start to bloom. Other pests that are known to plague the squash plant are squash bugs, aphids, and mealybugs.
Another possible squash problem may be a disease issue. Common diseases that affect the squash plant are mildew, blossom end rot, and bacterial wilt. make certain to offer plants many space between one another and dry off wet foliage to avoid fungal infections like mildew . to stop blossom end rot, provide plenty and consistent amounts of water throughout the season. Bacterial wilt is spread by the cucumber beetle, which may be trapped on yellow sticky cards to guard your squash plants.
Other common issues with squash plants include poor pollination, which may be avoided by pollinating by hand when necessary, poor soil, lack of water, and not enough sun. search for pest and disease-resistant varieties when selecting a squash plant to assist avoid common diseases and infestations.