I planted my Tromboncino because I thought it wasn't affected by Squash Vine Borers. Well, even though the plant stem is solid, and not hollow, the leaf stems are hollow..
Anyway, I saw some frisse, or whatever you call it on one of my Tromboncino squash..and cut the stem open..I stuck a tweezer in there, and pulled out a fat maggoty SVB larvae. He had hollowed out the solid stem, and the plant was suffering Then I noticed other "signs" of the little (insert profanity here) on the plant, Some of them had already exited the stem.. hole on both sides. Well, I mainly managed to mangle the plant.
I know JRandom suggested bacillus therengensis injected into the stem, but I am paranoid about accidentally poking myself with a BT filled syringe.
BTW, I found what I assume are brown eggs not just at the base, but also on some of the leaf stems higher up. I also think one of my cucuzzi might have gotten hit, but it doesn't seem as affected as the one Tromboncino.. I can put sticky tape on them, but i am afraid I will catch a bee, and I love bees.
Oh no! I’ll have to keep a sharp eye on my plants for borer signs. I planted the TdiA’s & Cucuzza thinking they were not affected (or ‘as’ affected) by squash bugs - so far so good. I was worried about the deer munching on them, but the leaves seem to be a little “fuzzy” and deer don’t like ‘texture’ so maybe they’ll be ok. The neighbor had a predator call going for coyotes the other day - I’m wondering if he saw coyote sign or was just playing with a new toy. If the coyotes are back (last summer we had a pack of ‘em) the deer will be scarce.
One of my Trombettas has been lurking on the ground and this morning when I went out to check on things, I think it had grown about 8 inches more out to the side (in one day!). I grabbed it to see if I could get it on the fence and the whole things sort of unfolded into a very long plant! I got one of my handy dandy bungee cords and bungeed it up and to the fence. It should grab on in a day or so and be a climber - it was loaded with climbing tendrils.
The cucuzza has added yet another leaf plus a couple of tendrils and is looking for something to climb. We’re 90+ today & the rest of the week until Saturday so I’m still leaving up the “shade” bag until the weekend. By that time, the cucuzza should be big enough to grab the fence and “fee fi fo fum” style climbing should begin!