July 2018 Extension Cucurbit news from MSU

East Michigan vegetable update – June 27, 2018

Zucchini and yellow squash are being picked. Cucumber beetle pressure has been low. Squash vine borers have been laying eggs in zucchini and pumpkins.

Pickling cucumber plantings are continuing. Downy mildew has not been confirmed in the Midwest yet, but I would be surprised if it does not show up in Mid-Atlantic states and the Midwest soon with the dew points coming up for the next four days. Preventative applications of Bravo would be wise following today’s weather event.

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Southwest Michigan vegetable update – June 27, 2018

Southwest Michigan just can’t get a break from rain. Zucchiniyellow squash and cucumber harvest volume is increasing as more fields come into production. First fruit from these fields are often poorly shaped. This will improve once bees find the fields.

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Flint, Michigan, area urban agriculture update – June 27, 2018

Cucumbers are growing well with abundant small fruit forming in area hoophouses. Growers are planting successions of green beans and zucchini.

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Time for downy mildew protectant sprays for cucumbers – June 26, 2018

First downy mildew field symptoms often occur in early July.

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West central Michigan vegetable update – June 20, 2018

For cucurbits, planting of processing zucchini was ongoing in Oceana County, depending on the timing of grower contracts. There was an outbreak of cucurbit downy mildew in Maryland recently, which is earlier than normal.

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Southwest Michigan vegetable update – June 20, 2018

This is not the year to stretch spray intervals.

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Methods to combat diseases in vegetable crops

Research on Phytophthora capsici identifies management practices that help prevent the spread of disease in vegetable crops.

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