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White fungus(?) on squash & compost #759659

Asked July 02, 2021, 12:25 PM EDT

Do you know what the white material is (see photo) on our squash plant , and also on our compost? Will this spread, and kill the plants? Can we get rid of it? How?

Berrien County Michigan

Expert Response

Thank you Joan for your question!  I appreciate your photos. Could you send two more photos: one with the leaves and another of the whole plant. Thanks! It will help with narrowing down what might be happening! 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 05, 2021, 3:15 PM EDT
The last two photos are those that you asked for (the crookneck squash plant in our garden).  If you look closely at the last photo, tiny white spots (the “fungus”) are beginning to show on the leaves. The whole plant in the second photo is in the middle and upper right part of the picture.
 
The first photo, one you didn’t ask for, is a cucumber plant next to the crookneck squash. It also has white fungus on the stem. If you want to see more of what that plant looks like overall, it is also shown in the lower part of the second photo.

Hope this helps!

Joan 

imageimageimage

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 5, 2021, at 3:15 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied July 05, 2021, 5:55 PM EDT

Thank you Joan for your additional pictures and your question!  Crooked neck squash, cucumbers melons and squash make up a group of vegetables called cucurbits. Often times they become victims of several fungal and bacterial diseases that are present in the soil. From your photos and to the best of my knowledge it appears that you may have two of the most common problems: Phytophthora blight and powdery mildew. This article may assist you if you wish to read more Diseases and Insects in Michigan Cucurbits and their Management (E3276) - MSU Extension

These common diseases present when the weather is hot and humid with periods of lots of rainfall, much like our Michigan summers. The pathogen/s can overwinter on plant debri;  transmitted by weeds surrounding the area; or be carried by the wind into your garden. When the rain/water hits the soil, it splashes the pathogen onto the leaves of the plant. The pathogen is very opportunistic and takes advantage of the heat and humidity to multiply. 

Some common sprays used to treat powdery mildew will contain sulfur, chlorothalonil, horticultural oil plus baking soda. Table 3 at the bottom of this article gives some brand name products for purchase, Cucumber, Squash, Melon & Other Cucurbit Diseases | Home & Garden Information Center (clemson.edu) A different product listing of oxathiapirolin is commonly used for Phytophthora. Since disease is already present these can be used on a 5 day rotational basis.

At the end of this growing period you will want to clean up any infected material and throw it out in the trash - do not compost! Do not grow any cucurbits in this area of your garden for at least 3 years. 

Here are some cultural practices that seem to work for this grouping of plants: Plant disease resistant varieties - they will be listed on the seed envelope. Sow seed/plants into nutrient dense soil spacing 2-4' across giving your plants lots of room for air circulation. Consider growing them vertically. Water at the base of the plant - limit overhead irrigation - maybe plant in a mound to further water draining off the plants. Apply a horticultural oil or fungicidal oil every 10 days. When disease is seen these can be applied every 5 days. This article had a further suggestion of using a mustard cover crop planted in spring to ward off common  diseases. Biofumigation for Managing Phytophthora Blight and Other Soil-Borne Pathogens (cornell.edu)   

May you enjoy a bountiful harvest!                               

 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 08, 2021, 11:07 PM EDT
Thank you very much! This is very helpful. 

On Jul 8, 2021, at 11:07 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied July 09, 2021, 12:34 PM EDT

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