There are white flies around my squash. Are they a problem? When approaching half-size the far ends turn?
Question:....turn black and shrivel. Any comments or suggestions?
Answers:
Yes, any stress to your plant can cause the plant to abort it's fruit. In a clean spray bottle add 3-4 drops of dish detergent and fill with water.. Spray down your entire plant paying careful attention to the undersides of the leaves (this is where the white fly hide). If the problem persists, try again in one week. You can also try an insecticidal soap, but I feel in my experience that this works the best for white fly.
Also maybe try pollinating by hand... because that's also what happens to the fruit if it doesn't get pollinated...
spray an insecticide labelled for whiteflies
Use Neem oil. Mainly named Bio-neem. It is a pretty safe insecticide that smothers whiteflies. This should take care of the white flies. Whiteflies are serious and should be taken care of because they multiply quickly and will invade yoour whole yard of plants, etc. Now, addressing the black and shriveling it sounds as if you have a fungus and need a fungicide. Try looking in your local garden center and you may be able to find a combo neem oil concentrate with a fungicide. We have it hear and i cant remember the manufacturer but I know it is labeled for roses, flowers, shrubs, vegetables, etc. If you cant find a combo probably daconil or fungonil would work best as a fungicide.
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