Let's see those '09 gardens

[jjirons69]

Originally Posted by Mark C

Have any of you guys had trouble with bugs and zucchini? Something keeps eating mine. I have yet to find the culprit, but after the zuc's grow ~6" long, they start getting chewed up from the blossom end. I must have lost a dozen so far, only managed to pick one ripe fruit.

Mark, interesting problem. There are only a few insect culprlts and your description doesn't add up. I would bet a real animal: rabbit, squirrel, or raccoon. My problems have been with the vine itself. Those damnedable squash vine borers ruin everything, even when I spray and look for problems. Much like squirrels to your bird feeders, they have all day to plan their destruction, while you have hundreds of others things to worry about. Here's what I found for you to read:

Zucchini can be plagued with several different pests and diseases so you must inspect your plants for any signs. Cucumber Beetle is green and yellow; either striped or spotted. They eat the leaves of the plant so look for half eaten leaves. Vine Borers will bore into the vine near the base of the plant and chew right through it. Cut worms will attack your plants early in the season and cut them off right at the base of the plant. Spider mites and aphids will show up on the undersides of the leaves and they will eat the leaves.

Good luck, brother. I've yet to see in my 40 years a squash or zucchini plant die of old age. Sad but true. Just planted a dozen more squash and the bugs are already testing me. Neither can grow in a greenhouse as they need pollenators. They're cheap at the grocery store this time of year.