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C N Y

i was at the SEMINAR in Niagara Falls and John Twelves, the auctioneer, was talking about planting "Bottle-Neck" gourds in his patch and having great success in distracting the cuke beetles away from his AGs by allowing the gourds to grow in and amongst his pumpkin plants. in other words, the cukers stayed off of his AGs because they liked the gourd plants better. i am just wondering what gourd plant this is, and is it the SAME as the green, Speckled Swan Gourd we may have all seen.....any info helpful....eric

4/19/2005 5:49:12 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

I have also heard that the Blue Hubbard Squash Plant will do the same thing.

Try planting the "trap" plants a week or two earlier than the pumpkin seeds so you can get the "trap" established.

4/19/2005 8:47:56 PM

C N Y

thanks!!!

4/20/2005 1:22:39 AM

C N Y

thanks, Bantam. i will look into this!
i would still like to hear about the
specifically bottle-neck gourd or Speckled Swan type
gourd, as John Twelves also claimed they did not try to root down or anything, which would be a plus. so, if anyone knows, gimme a holler-----eric

4/20/2005 1:34:29 AM

Commack, NY

i would think that if you grew another plant, in and around your AG, it would decrease air flow, and possibly lead to mildew issues.

4/20/2005 9:14:56 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I believe what you are talking about is reversed. The Cuke Beetles actually do not like the flavor of the Swan Gourd. Just as they usually will not touch a long gourd. A "Trap Crop" is normally something that is more tastey than the crop you are trying to protect. Such as an Eggplant at the end of a potato row. I have read Nasturtiums, Radishes, Tansy and a few others interplanted with a Cucurbit will deter cuke beetles.

4/20/2005 9:21:49 AM

Long Island,New York

Now Shannon...if you weren't galavanting around Florida that weekend instead of learning things at the Niagara seminar you'd understand............... Erick ! Lets go to the voideo tape !!!

4/20/2005 10:09:10 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I was paying attention in 2004. When the College Girls gave the speach on the study they had completed involving the use of the Speckled Swan Gourd. :)

4/20/2005 12:06:04 PM

Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

there were college girls there?
now this is all suspect!

wouldn't a crop attractive to pests bring them in from even farther away?

4/20/2005 12:12:56 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I will just stick with my Molasses as a foliar to increase the plants "Brix" Level to make a healthier and less tasty plant.

4/20/2005 1:11:43 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Yikes! See how old I am I was there (niagara 2004) and seem to remember it was a grade school project...but if Shannon thinks those girls where college age.....hmmmm...how about the bean contest?...LOL GrowEmBig! Chuck

4/20/2005 6:47:12 PM

C N Y

yyyyyyyyeaaahhh....i do believe they were like high-school
girls but college ones come from somewhere. lol....

ahem! anyway, all good points, and indeed it would be a great idea to look at the video and see what the girls did say and what type they used for the test(s).

the reason for the post was because i was too lazy to get the tape out and dust it off and find that segment.
of course, also, this information is now for all to see and everyone will benefit. YAY!
i have thought of this:
put out something they like and the cukes will come from even farther away. that would very much make sense!
maybe the fact that it would be growing amongst anAG would "mask" it somewhat or maybe it only exudes a scent a short distance....cukes do not ONLY feed on AGs, as i think i read....so the ones that are lucky enough to be near an AG grower are ever so happy! like i say, very good points!

4/20/2005 7:26:37 PM

C N Y

LOL!!!!!!!!!
i thought i hit DELETE by accident and was so upset because i had "deleted" the above response---turns out i had hit "Post Reply" lol! phhhheeewwww!!!!! i am a slowwwww
typer. see, THAT took two minutes. no not really, but close. more fun later---gotta go home to other computer.....eric

4/20/2005 7:33:23 PM

Long Island,New York

Oh sure Shannon...just sugarcoat the problem...............

4/20/2005 7:38:01 PM

C N Y

yah, Molasses is new on my list of amendments--haven't yet
done anything about the question still at hand...but here's the weekend....gotta till-in the powdered molasses, cornmeal and get several loads of horse manure for the new and exciting 1600 sq. ft., five-days-ago-was-virgin-land
experimental patch. but, at night i won't be busy...lol---eric

4/22/2005 8:32:54 PM