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Kentucky - USA

After seeing what bruiser posted I finally found out what was wrong with 3 out of 4 plants of mine. They have some type of mosiac virus. All 3 plants came from the same seeds so I guess the virus is seed born. I thought at first the symtoms was caused by over fertilization so you may want to check your plants with pics on the url that bruiser posted.

Good Luck Guys..

Tim

P.S.(I'm still not giving up. I have one plant left and more seeds on the way..)

6/17/2001 8:28:19 PM

Kentucky - USA

Here's the url to check your plants with..

http://extension-horticulture.tamu.edu/cucurbit/intro.html

6/17/2001 8:30:45 PM

Herndon, VA

I found the above page very helpful, but I would also caution anyone viewing the site not to hastily jump to conclusions. I had about 20 leaves that showed signs of the virus, and had been watching it destroy my plant for months, so identification was not too difficult. If you only have a couple deformed leaves it could be due to a number of reasons and may not be Mosaic.

Tim- Good luck. It is true the virus is seed born, but can also be spread by garden tools, shoes, etc. The question is, will I be able to plant again next year? --Bruiser

6/18/2001 1:42:39 PM

Kentucky - USA

Hi Bruiser,

Maybe we will have some luck after all. The plant I have left is the same one you have(The 600 Desrosier). It may be virus restistant because it's not shown any symtoms yet. That may be a good sign for the both of us.

Good Luck

Tim

6/18/2001 4:05:00 PM

Liverpool , England

Yo TAdams,
Mosiac virus is spread by greenfly..blackfly (aphids) so check yo dont have any..otherwise your other plants will become infected....burn the old ones soon as poss.
Alun

6/18/2001 8:14:56 PM

Herndon, VA

Tim- After a few hours of reading about mosaic viruses, I have to agree with Alun, aphids are typically the primary means of spreading the disease. Cuke beetles can also spread it, and Squash Mosaic can also be spread by seed.

I think my 1st plant was infected from the seed, then cuke beetles spread it to my other plant. The Desrosiers is in another location; I just hope the cuke beetles there don't carry the disease. I guess the good news is that it is not in the soil. Good Luck! I think we're both gonna need it! --Bruiser

6/18/2001 10:51:33 PM