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New Castle, Pa.

Any one out their having any succees going completly organic? I'm especially interested in pest and fungal control.

1/21/2007 12:53:38 PM

[email protected]

We're 100% Organic at my son's elementary school. We took 2005 off so the Cucumber beetle pressure was nonexistent for a change. We controlled Powdery Mildew with 10% Milk sprays once a week. No other pests have ever been observed inside the walled garden. 2006 yielded a 214 & 180 est on the same plant. They would have done much better but a wind event ripped the main. The 214 was set very late on the first secondary before the main vine split.

1/21/2007 2:02:04 PM

Montoursville, PA

Nope...........I don't think so. Close maybe but no cigar even for me at this date. The claims of organic principles are sound however to achieve them one has to remove difficult plants from the farm. Take away the pumpkin plant and a few others. Then with patience you may be able to eventually be truely organic.

1/21/2007 2:04:01 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I've been growing organinically for the past 3 yrs.(except for maybe the initial potting medium...contained some inorganic fertilizer I think).
The first two years were pretty problem free. Last year the cucumber beetles found my patch, and were quite a bit of trouble. I'm not a heavy hitter, but have grown over 600 lbs. each year, with a PB of 733 lbs. last year.
If I can keep the cucumber beetles at bay organically, I may be O.K. It seems they brought the mosaic virus with them last year. I'm going to try to go organic again this year.

1/21/2007 2:25:14 PM

New Castle, Pa.

Last year was my first year and the cucumber beetles were bad. They came in droves when they came but by following the OVGPG's recommended basic spray program I managed to end up with two nice 600lbs + pumpkins. I'd like to try going all organic this year but those beetles were really nasty. I was just wondering what might be a good organic solution for them? Tremor I intended to try the milk spray this year for Powdery Mildew. Doug are you using any organic products for cucumber beetles now? Doc your advice is priceless, "Take away the pumpkin plant".

1/21/2007 4:12:10 PM

Gays Mills,WI

I have used Bonide Liquid Rotenone/Pyrethrins spray, a product from Gargens alive called Pyola(pyrethrins and canola oil), Neem Oil, and a dust called DIACTIVE V. I like to alternate products. Also you can put a floating row cover with light insect barrier to protect early season.

1/22/2007 1:45:44 AM

Western Pa.

Seems to me some students in Canada were working on a cuke beetle "repellant" made from the speckled swan gourd? This was reported several years ago at the Niagara convention. Anyone know how they made out?

1/22/2007 9:34:27 AM

Indiana

"cuke beetle "repellant" made from the speckled swan gourd" Hmmm that makes sense! The cuke beetles never bother the hardshell gourds.
Steve

1/22/2007 10:46:08 AM

Central Pennsylvania [email protected]

Does tobacco tea repell cuke beatles? I'm trying to grow Hopi and Scherazi Tobacco this year and I heard it is a good insect repellent but does it work for cukes?

1/22/2007 11:53:44 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I don't know if I'm doing something right but for the last two years I don't have any insect problems, not even cucumber beetles. My only theory is that my climate is so inhospitable than not even the bugs want to live here. Last year I used no insecticides at all and never saw anything, other than birds (good) bees (good) and ladybugs (good).

I did have a willow tree that became absolutely swarmed with aphids. To take care of it I sprayed the tree with a dishsoap solution, right out of the Ortho Dial 'N Spray. Within 30 minutes, EVERY aphid was dead. Dead dead, not just mostly dead. Perfect solution and it only cost me, what, five cents??

OK, so I wouldn't want to use the dishsoap on the pumpkin plants, but on a willow tree, go for it.

Now, if we could solve my 30 degree temps in June, maybe I could grow pumpkins, but the bugs would find me!!!

1/22/2007 12:09:37 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Old Hickory,
I'm hoping to find an organic control for cucumber beetles. I'm open to suggestions.

Cliff,
Have you had cucumber beetles there before? I hadn't noticed them here in over 10 yrs. of gardening, them BAM, they hit with a vengence. I'm wondering if the the orange windbreak fence I put up, initially attracted them? Or maybe a string of mild winters?

1/22/2007 12:35:48 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Lauralie, I would be hesitant about using tobacco products. Tobacco is known to harbor a mosaic virus that can transfer from a smoker's hands to tomato plants. Since I had mosaic problems on my pumpkins last year, I wouldn't want that near my garden. Maybe there are other natural repellants.

1/22/2007 12:39:16 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Molasses.....Brix....very few cuke beatles.

1/22/2007 12:51:42 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Shannon,
I did use molasses in my foliar spray. Maybe not frequently enough? Maybe if I spray it on every other day?

1/22/2007 1:25:30 PM

Western Pa.

I also heard a while back that planting Tansy would repell cuke beetles. I planted a row of it, but the tansy plants didn't survive! I spray molassses regularly, but still get cuke beetles, that's when I go "inorganic!"

1/22/2007 2:12:55 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Yes, I have had cucumber beetles. They do like to go after potatoes, for example. We happen to have had a string of relatively cold winters.

They went away, but I bet they'll come back sooner or later...

1/22/2007 2:31:36 PM

SF Bay Area, California

I grow a trap crop of sunflowers next to my patch. The cuke beetles love them. I spray the sunflowers regularly with Sevin and that keeps the cuke beetle population down. Now I know this is not an organic solution but it means I rarely have to spray the pumpkin plants with insecticide.

I've noted a perceptable slow down in growth and occational leaf scorch associated with spraying the pumpkins with Sevin so I avoid it at all costs...

1/22/2007 2:36:43 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

One more tip, if you have cuke beetles present, get a bucket with about one inch of soapy water in the bottom. When you see one, just grab him and toss him in the bucket. Wear gloves if you like.

But then if you see them, you need to inspect the underside of your leaves for eggs.

I do like the sunflower idea as well.

1/22/2007 4:50:38 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Started completely organic growing last year and got similar results to previous years.No SVB's here fortunately.
Growing under Opico's Sterilite polythene which probably helps control the pests and diseases but cuts out more light than I would like.

1/22/2007 5:57:53 PM

Indiana

"I planted a row of it, but the tansy plants didn't survive!" I cant believe it it took me years to get tansy out of a flower bed the roundup didnt even kill it.

1/22/2007 6:30:07 PM

Montoursville, PA

Neam Oil definately kills the beetles. Just follow instuctions on the maker's label.

1/22/2007 9:02:46 PM

Simi valley, ca

I came across a way to get rid of many cuke beatles by accident,,Leave piles of the 3rd stage growth close to plants in a few days up to a week underneath there will be many , lift up shake & spray quick ,, a few will fly , but if your fast youll get many, or even grow a plant to make piles out of ,,

1/22/2007 10:30:35 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Some very good suggestions. I may have to get some neem oil. Maybe grow sunflowers and/or leave piles of third stage growth, and spray these with neem oil. Thanks for the suggestions. Any others?

1/23/2007 12:53:50 AM

Western Pa.

I've got something to add, some years the cuke beetle manifestations will be a lot worse than others. If you do get hit hard, it's quite possible that one of your neighbors attracted them with his cucurbits! Look over the fence, and your neighbor may have a cuke beetle smorgasboard going on! Moondog, my tansy plants came through the mail, they may have been destined before even being planted! I've heard that something in sunflowers inhibits growth of pumpkins, don't plant them too close to your AGs!

1/23/2007 9:52:02 AM

Montoursville, PA

I suggest that anyone who wants to know the cuke beetle give it to Google and read up on the life cycle. Having done this you may be able to pass your own correct judgement as to where they originate and why. Hearsay and opinion need not be considered. The net is full of good knowlege on this critter. Go for it.

1/23/2007 12:13:31 PM

New Castle, Pa.

Thanks for all the good ideas! Hopefully I can make it to Niagra Falls and continue discussing this topic with many of you over a cold beer.

Tim

1/23/2007 8:49:17 PM