Q&A - Why did my squash die from the ground up?
Question:
For the last two years my squash plants had blooms were growing squash but then they died from the bottom of the plant up. Why did this happen and how can I prevent it this year?
Answer:
Squash vine borer tunnels down the middle of the squash vine close to the ground and kills the vine. Once the damage is visible it is too late to stop the damage. To prevent the vine borer you need to spray insecticide (carbaryl, bifenthrin, permethrin, esfenvalerate) on the vine from the soil level to two feet up the vine. This needs to be done on a preventative basis starting as soon as the squash vine is established.
Related Resources:
Squash vine borer management in home gardens
Squash Vine Borer
Biology and Management of Squash Vine Borer in Organic Farming Systems
For the last two years my squash plants had blooms were growing squash but then they died from the bottom of the plant up. Why did this happen and how can I prevent it this year?
Answer:
Squash vine borer tunnels down the middle of the squash vine close to the ground and kills the vine. Once the damage is visible it is too late to stop the damage. To prevent the vine borer you need to spray insecticide (carbaryl, bifenthrin, permethrin, esfenvalerate) on the vine from the soil level to two feet up the vine. This needs to be done on a preventative basis starting as soon as the squash vine is established.
Related Resources:
Squash vine borer management in home gardens
Squash Vine Borer
Biology and Management of Squash Vine Borer in Organic Farming Systems