AngelsGarden's Blog

Giant Pumpkin R.I.P.
Jun 25, 2007 | 7:34 AM PST
Tags: Atlantic Giant Pumpkin , Leaf-footed Bugs , Squash Vine Borers , Watermelon , Squash Vine Borer Larvae , Chickens , zucchini

This poor thing.  It was just not destined for greatness this time around.  The pumpkin hadn't grown in quite awhile so we decided to clean it out of the circular bed.  Besides the watermelon was begging for more room. 

When I started pulling it out I was surprised at how brittle it was.  One of the first pieces I pulled up broke open right where there was this large (I'm assuming) Squash bug larvae.  Gross!!! 

I'm not sure how much damage overall the Leaf-footed bugs are responsible for, versus the Squash Vine Borers.

I had seen one of these in one of the zucchini plants that I had pulled up for the same reason, but it had been smaller. 

When I looked at the pumpkin the stem, all of the way up to the pumpkin was full of holes along the inside of the stem and there was a big mushy spot were it had been sitting on the ground.  It also had a wound that was an orangeish color. 

That wound had me wondering if there was a bug in there too, because of the shape and color.  So, I dug around in there with the scissors.  Lo and behold...another gross larvae!

Very disgusting!  I will be doing research and deciding how I will try to get a Giant Pumpkin without this happening again.  I have not given up!!!  This has all been very interesting to me.  And now the watermelon has room to breath.

So, the chickens were pretty happy sat. night, they had a late evening snack of giant pumpkin with squash bug larvae on top.