Update that marigolds and nasturtiums without flowers did not repel the svb,neither did my homemade concoction of tobacco, redpeppers, black pepper, vegetable oil, and dish soap. It rained a few hours after I applied it, today new eggs all over them. I'm giving up organic at least with the svb, trying stuff with methoxychor, or best I've heard yet is this: "A second planting of summer squash made in early July will mature after adult borers have finished laying eggs. " Another nice suggestion: "Mulches are known to harbor squash bugs" http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/squash_pest.html "Iowa State University Organics Research Program conducted trials of various control methods for squash bug and squash vine borer. Researchers found that mulching with newspaper and hay, combined with tightly secured row covers on the plots (a level 2 control), provided very effective control of both weeds and squash bugs in pumpkin (C. pepo)Âespecially in the wet season of 2002.(4, 5) The row covers apparently excluded squash bugs, preventing them from entering to lay eggs. Gauze row covers (e.g., ReemayÂ, AgriforceÂ, AgribonÂ, TufbellÂ) [Section 205.206(b)(1),(2),(3)] physically exclude pests and prevent them from reaching the plants in large numbers. Preventive strategies have become more important with recognition of A. tristis as a probable disease vector. Hand picking and trapping of A. tristis, or slitting each vine to remove the larva, in the case of M. satyriniformis, represent attempts to control pests after they have begun rearing another generation in numbers sufficient to cause economic damage and pest buildup. Such labor-intensive controls may be uneconomical for large plantings." "Some products acceptable in organic vegetable production that are effective against squash bugs include diatomaceous earth, sabodilla, and neem oil. Growers that anticipate using materials to control heavy pest infestations must list these materials and the circumstances for their use in their organic systems plan. This plan must be submitted to and approved by the organic certifier before the producer uses any material." What is a sabodilla? I found a tree by that name, is it the same thing? Here is a link that might be useful: svb info

Well, acorn squash it is then! Thanks all. I have two more of the same plant besides that one. I like acorn squash, so I guess it is cool to learn how to grow them but I'm kinda disappointed I won't be up to my ears in yellow squash like I thought I would be. :-/ You only harvest them once in September, right? I just leave them on the vine as is until then?

Watch the adverse effect of baking soda. It can hurt the plant. Spray with the baking soda solution once, making sure you have sprayed it all over the plant (even on healthy-looking leaves, flowers, etc.), but also making sure it is not soaking wet. A very fine spray used lightly but thoroughly is key. I have saved a few squash plants from powdery mildew with baking soda, but some leaves do now show a bit of scarring from the baking soda. The scars are few and small and don't seem to affect the plant's health, but had I applied a bit more solution, I could have made things worse for my plants. Once you have done that, wait a few days and monitor the plant. If it looks like some of the white goo is gone, it means the baking soda is working. Repeat twice, a week apart. DO NOT spray several days in a row. Don't do this more often than once per week. The exception is when it rains. To avoid water splashing, as mentioned by oilpainter, mulch the plant and the splashing of bacteria will stop. Only ever water the root zone of any plant whatsoever. Never water the leaves, the stem or any other part. The only plants that like water on their foliage are tropical plants, and even they can fall prey to fungus. And now, to reply to your question, yes, baking soda can actually wash away fungus, even though many people say it only stops it from spreading. In my experience, the baking soda does dissolve the fungus. I have several squash leaves that were almost entirely white that are now green. I still recommed careful removal of badly infested leaves--make sure they don't rub on the healthy leaves in the process! Don't compost these leaves--put them in the garbage and cover so the spores don't fly away. My baking soda recipe: 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cooking oil (any cooking oil will do) 3 drops of dishwashing liquid 1 litre of water This recipe is one dose for two mature zucchini plants. Only apply half of this per plant.

If the stem that attaches the squash to the vine is withered looking and tough and the squash is dark green, IMHP, I would cut it off and EAT It. This may prod the vine to get producing. No, it is not unusual for plants to be all in different stages or to be mostly all in the same stage. The plant will grow until hard frost kills it.