Meggo
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Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2015 5:20 pm

Squash and sunflowers wilting

Hi there! My winter squash and sunflowers in one part of the garden are wilting! What should I do?? It started with one squash plant and has spread. I've been watering only after like a day or so post rain when the ground is actually dried out so I feel confident that the moisture level is good and consistent out there. Any ideas or suggestions?? I'm about to start pulling plants. :(
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rainbowgardener
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Posts: 25279
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

Have you checked your squash for squash bugs and vine borers?

Look at the base of the stem, just above where it goes in to the soil:

Image
https://comohomestead.com/wp-content/upl ... 24x768.jpg

If it looks scuffed up like that, with one or more holes and a pile of sawdusty looking stuff nearby, that is the squash vine borer (SVB). Inside the stem will be a little larva like this (or more than one):

Image
https://www.gardeningblog.net/forums/gal ... -borer.jpg

Your wilted squash looks very typical of SVB - when they chew out the stem from inside, they destroy the circulation channels that carry water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves and the plant quickly wilts. But squash bugs can carry a wilt disease also.

squash bug:

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https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/ins ... bugs-1.jpg

If you water the ground and the base of the stem thoroughly, the squash bugs will start crawling up to get away from the water and you will see them.



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