What the???

[vette-kid]

Just a few days ago this squash looked great, now it's all limp. This is my first time growing squash, what's the deal??

 

[Silentrunning]

I will make a guess. Too much sunshine. When I grew any big leaf plant in Florida it was during the short day time of the year.

 

[vette-kid]

Interesting, thought squash was a full sun plant

 

[Silentrunning]

Interesting, thought squash was a full sun plant

Florida sun is brutal. Especially during the summer. Even up here in North Carolina I am having trouble already. Another problem I have found is not to let water hit leaves during the heat of the day. It turns the water into little magnifying glasses.

 

[vette-kid]

Could be, I see no other signs of pest damage or anything.

 

[Durgan]

https://www.almanac.com/pest/squash-vine-borer
SQUASH VINE BORER
HOW TO IDENTIFY AND GET RID OF SQUASH VINE BORERS

I don't grow squash any more due to this pest.

https://www.almanac.com/sites/default/files/users/AlmanacStaffArchive/identify-squash-vine-borer-moth_0_full_width.jpg

 

[DirtMechanic]

Are any other squash doing ok?

 

[Durgan]

In a large field of squash a grower accepts some loss, since the attack is random and a few plants are sacrificed.

 

[Durgan]

http://masterofhort.com/2012/04/controlling-squash-vine-borers-melittia-cucurbitae/
Controlling Squash Vine Borers (Melittia cucurbitae)

 

[posiepurrs]

I agree with Durgan - squash vine borer. Lived in Florida for over 30 years and the sun never was an issue with squash.

 

[vette-kid]

Other squash seemed to be fine. It's storming out now, so I can't check on them. If this is vine borer, it may be my first and last season for squash. I can't babysit it that much.

Will they bother the cucumbers?

 

[DirtMechanic]

In either case you need an insecticide. Bacterial wilt from the cucumber beetle and other bugs gets the cukes here.

 

[vette-kid]

BT is the plan once the reason stops. That and squishing any I find

 

[DirtMechanic]

You can slice longways and dig the bug out or inject with your bbq injector needle.

 

[Meadowlark]

Some things I do to minimize insect damage to squash:

• Crop rotation…very important. At least three years between locations.
• Cover crops: Since the insects’ life cycle is largely in the soil, it makes sense to me to discourage them there. I don’t know which specific cover pants are definitively the most effective, so I plant a large variety of cover crops.
• Clean out old plants and burn/destroy them. Don’t return to the compost pile.
• Stagger plant. Start a few plants, and then a couple of weeks later some more, and another two weeks later some more. That way you can have continuous production even with insect problems
• Companion planting. I like to plant a legume next to them as well as some flowering plants around the garden.

Some of these things are mentioned in the referenced articles on this thread. Collectively, these practices keep us in plenty of squash through the spring season…so much we are usually ready for it to die out.

Currently producing meals every other day (notice green beans closely planted):

Production to start next week:

I don't use insecticides...notice some slight chewing on the green beans...and if my countermeasures don't work sufficiently, I let the bugs have a share and keep planting. Works for me!