A borer in my a plant stalk.
- Thread starter brogro
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Budzbuddha
Well-Known Member
Sounds like a hemp borer.
Budzbuddha
Well-Known Member
Most garden friendly insecticides like monterey / capt. Jacks Super Soap / etc should work.
Most insecticides want you to do a “ systemic “ way but i think a direct application ( in hole ) would be a cleaner approach so you are not just dousing everything
Most insecticides want you to do a “ systemic “ way but i think a direct application ( in hole ) would be a cleaner approach so you are not just dousing everything
waterproof808
Well-Known Member
you can inject it with insecticide. Branch might still die though
OGGanjaPatient
Well-Known Member
I've never seen this anywhere before, but I would inject with bt. Though only a brainstorm I believe it SHOULD WORK so long as the borer isn't big,... says its mostly effective at younger caterpillars, still, worth the shot, still might die if the damage is done in that case cut off branch and start spraying to prevent them from flourishing again. Good luck all the best!
thumper60
Well-Known Member
That branch is a goner cut it couple ins below hole because they bore up until its to big then they bore down into the ground to start all over next yr. How did you find it was that branch wilting?Check the rest of the plants i never just get 1 borer A simple spray of spinosad once a week this wont happen.
thumper60
Well-Known Member
The ones we get in the north east squash stem borers destroy big healthy plants.
The branch is not necessarily a goner, in my experience.
I guess it depends on which borer he has. Everything in that picture leads me to think the branch will be fine. What has he got to loose by waiting and watching?
thumper60
Well-Known Member
I have been fighting these for many yrs if left alone that whole plant will wilt an not produce good flower will it live yes if you dont mind a 8 ft wilted plant when the sun hits it. You might get a different type of borer the ones here get big an hollow out the stems.
thumper60
Well-Known Member
If it wilts in the sun its toast. Thats how most folks find the bore hole the branch is wilting so they take a closer looksie.
Must be a different borer than here.
Again, what does he have to loose? If he cuts off that part of the plant, it is gone for sure. If his issue is more like mine, the plant will be fine most of the time, leaving it alone.
thumper60
Well-Known Member
Stem rot that moves to the whole plant thats what he has to lose I have seen it I cant believe you do nothing about stem borers. I have tried the spray BT in the hole an slice the stem open an remove the borer its useless I just cut 2 in below the hole an move on.
Phytoplankton
Well-Known Member
Very likely a corn borer. They often lead to bacterial/fungal infections from the frass they leave inside the stem.
thumper60
Well-Known Member
Yes they bore up until to big to fit in stem then they bore down into the ground over winter then hatch an fly in the spring to start all over again. Are you in the northern latitudes? 41 north or more. Theres different types of borers down south.
I have never seen them go down, only up. I have never had the severe issues others seem to have had and this is my 6th season outdoors. My plants are 8 to 10 feet tall and are almost always unfazed by stem borers. I believe they are different than the squash bugs we get in Oklahoma. I am pretty hands off regarding my plants, though I have been spraying sulfur to deter leaf septoria.
thumper60
Well-Known Member
Squash bugs arent stem borers, You get something different, Squash stem borers come from a pretty little red moth that looks an acts like a bee We have corn borers also but dont seem to bother weed plants. Been dealing with the little shits for close to 40 yrs.