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New Brunswick

Almost all of my blossems have those horrid cucumber beetles mating in them. The one time I used Rotenone right in the open female blossemm, my pollination did not take. (It appears I fertilized with Rotenone) Anyhow all my blossems set after I fertilize if I don't use rotenone....but I do have bugs in the blossems. I am durned if I do and durned if I don't. What do I do about this besides trying to carefully remove and kill them? Also I noticed two little holes right in the center of one female blossem...in those little segment thingies. (One hole in each of two) The other segmants have no holes. Is this from those blasted cuke beetles or is it a natural occurance. The holes do not appear to be chewed, they are oval in shape. (I suppose the bettles do help to pollinate the flowers...)

7/14/2003 10:24:59 PM

I use mesh netting covering the females the night before. It keeps bugs out, and the tiny prickles on the flower bud catch on the mesh, so the flower doesn't open till I remove the mesh to pollinate. I tie it on with yarn under the baby pumpkin. That should keep all bugs out, unless they somehow get inside the flower before it even opens. I think anything to hold the flower shut, except when you pollinate, would help to keep the buggers out.

As for the holes....I have no clue.

7/14/2003 11:33:34 PM

Western Pa.

I think the "holes" you are referring to are a natural part of the lobes. In some flowers you can see them in others you don't. Cucumber beetles love to hide in the flowers, and sometimes escape spraying there. You can't let the beetles win, it's time to "kick up" your attack on them. Also, after you have your pumpkins set, remove all flowers!

7/15/2003 7:53:01 AM

New Brunswick

Yup...those little holes are supposed to be there. Found some more today in other blossoms. I fish those wretched beetles out with an artists paintbrush. Then I smush them! My plants are producing blossoms every day now. I hate to dust until fruits are set as I am almost certain it caused my very first pumpkin to not take. The bugs seem to be all in the blossoms now....so once the flowers are gone, maybe they will go too....the paint brush sure works good at helping me get my hands on them. Thanks Briqitte... that sounds like a great idea...but I seem to have numerous males each morning and also several females....very hard to keep track. They are growing like crazy!

7/16/2003 11:54:35 PM