Powdery mildew, Plectosporium blight, and Phytophthora fruit rot are present in the late summer and early fall as winter squash and pumpkins mature.
Michigan vegetable crop reports
Downy mildew and Phytophthora threaten Michigan Cucurbits
Cucurbit crops, excluding pumpkins, are being harvested, with vigilance against downy mildew and Phytophthora pathogens. Downy mildew has been confirmed in 13 Michigan counties, affecting cucumber and melon crops. Phytophthora symptoms are expected to increase following recent rains, impacting plant crowns and fruit.
Michigan Cucurbit crop report – July 24, 2024
Downy mildew that affects melons and cucumbers has been confirmed in the main pickle production regions of Michigan. Keep up to date on the development of this destructive cucurbit disease at the Hausbeck Downy Mildew News website.
Phytophthora capsici causes significant losses in squash and cucumber following heavy rains. The most obvious symptoms are entire plant wilts, and regions of white spores on the surface of fruits that look similar to powdered sugar.
Michigan Cucurbit update | May 22, 2024
Pumpkins planted with plastic mulch tend to grow faster. This may may result in longer powdery mildew foliage management to protect fruit from sunburn.
Michigan cucurbit update | May 15, 2024
Michigan farmers are transplanting cucumbers and squash. Striped cucumber beetles are feeding. Seedless watermelons seedlings are germinating in Michigan greenhouses.
Michigan Cucurbit update | May 8, 2024
Squash and cucumbers have started going in on plastic mulch. Conventional growers typically use a seed treatment that is systemic for protection against striped cucumber beetles in the first few weeks when young plants are vulnerable.
Michigan Cucurbit update | August 18, 2023
Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported in multiple locations in Michigan. Michigan cucurbit growers are warned to detect and disk under plants infected with Phytophthora.
Michigan Cucurbit update | August 9, 2023
Good yields of yellow and green processing zucchini were being harvested in west central Michigan.
Watermelon harvest continues in the state.
Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed in eight counties to date.
Clade-2 Downy mildew spores were captured in Michigan.
