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Ypsilanti Michigan

Borers are in my stump, YUCK!!! Could I cut the part out where they are in the vine from the stump, and use the taps to finish the job. I have alot of taps left in good shape and am wondering if I could finish growing whats left of my pumpkin. They are bigger then a bowling ball and still have a nice gloss to them. I been using drippers along most of the taps to add to the growth, HELP!!!

7/11/2004 12:47:41 PM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

Get a syringe and inject the area with pesticide. I have used Bt but most anything will work. Use same mixture as for spray application. Make injections about every 4 inches then go up the vine about every 6 or 8 inches.

7/11/2004 1:16:34 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

Every other leaf stem has a brown spot half way up. I cut a few to check, and found a tiny white worm burried in the side of the leaf stem with brown mush around the worm.I got to them before they could go down to the vine, but I most likely missed some.

7/11/2004 2:12:02 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

some people have said here that they lost the entire stump and the pumpkin went on growing only from the taps but I would hesitate to do that personally. I think you should try to treat it with pesticide and leave it alone otherwise.
I do have the experience to know that a pumpkin can grow very big on just a tiny part of vine still hanging on to it like my 713 Kurkowski last year.
Good luck!

7/11/2004 2:29:00 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

Well. I found some syringes at a drug store. I hope they didn't think I was a junky, he he he!!! I found some Bioganic organic insect control CONCENTRATE. I'm going to see what I can do with them pests!! Man I didn't know growing pumpkins was such hard work, well I spent this much $$$, so what the heck. I may inject some into the leaf stems to stop them from getting to the vine as well.

Thanks for your input Michel.

7/11/2004 3:34:20 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

what are "taps"?

7/11/2004 4:47:39 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Kyle,
I guess Michel means the "tap roots" that are emerging beneath the leaf-joints.
Martin

7/11/2004 5:02:06 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

That stuff smells like scope mouth wash, and looks like vitamin D milk. Yes thats what I mean by tap roots. I thought they may be enough for my pumpkins, but if I can save the whole plant, then by gosh thats what I'm going to do.

7/11/2004 5:15:36 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

The syringes are actually ear droppers for kids, nothing like an actual pointed syringe. Check at your local pharmacy and they do work well!

7/11/2004 7:35:19 PM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

go to a farm and ranch store you may have to buy a seven way dog shot but you will get asyringe with a needle

7/11/2004 9:19:49 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

I found six for under $4.00. If this doesn't work, then I'll have to go with the taps. Just have to build up compost around them with plenty of water. I found cuke beetle larva at the stump base, what a way to start the year! I put insect killer at the base and let it soak in.

7/11/2004 9:32:22 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

I decided to mix alot of compost in along the fresh vines ahead of the pumpkins just incase and I'm going to keep it watered well untill the roots take. Thanks for all the help, and the friendship you folks been showing.

7/12/2004 10:46:40 AM

Oz

FARMERS CO-OP all sizes and needles.
maybe on mich ave?

7/12/2004 12:24:51 PM

Southern WI

Last year I had a vine bore in the stump, and another 18' down a primary. Knowing it was the possibly the end, I dug out all the covered area, CUT OUT the destroyed parts,leaving enough to still keep the vine connected, drenched it with Sevin and buried it with fresh soil. It took less than a week for it to recover. I had 2 pumpkins on the plant and the tap roots maintained them. I wish I had found the problem sooner,I was out of town for a few days, I'll never know how well it could have done.

7/13/2004 10:59:47 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

gardens alive has the syringes and the nematodes that can be injected directly into the vine to control borers also you can fashion a small stiff wire into a hook and fish the borer out through it's own hole.
http://www.gardensalive.com/

Glenn Peters

7/13/2004 12:03:03 PM