My summer squash plants are rotting, how can I save them?

Question

Should I use a certain fertilizer?

Answer 1

over watering will do it... mulch would b good under them... also try newspaper. Put several layers around them. Cut the paper & lay it around them. The paper will also act as mulch when it disingrates.. I know newpaper is great for cukes... the ink has some mineral in it that helps. My cukes grew great & big! I use that same method around catalope. It worked good.

Answer 2

You may have squash vine borer. Take a look at the stem of your vines in the six inches or so closet to the ground. Are there any spots that look like small piles of wet sawdust along with a hole? If you have them, you probably have the squash vine borer.

You can check for sure, buy taking a sharp knife and slitting open the vine and looking for the "caterpiller" inside. If you can find him and dig him out without damaging the plant too much, you might be able to save it. If you can't find it/them and get it out, you are probably going to lose the plant.

You can buy nemotodes that are supposed to work against the squash vine borer, but in my experience their effects are temporary. The only reliable solution I have ever heard of that doesn't involve chemicals is to never plant your squash vines in that garden again and to find someplace a good distance away from it for your new squash garden. This is because the squash vine borers are in the soil.

Answer 3

make sure that you are not over watering them,take the rotten leaves off and try to keep the leaves from having contact with the ground,a little rotten leaves shouldn't be a major concern

Answer 4

Sounds like they're overfertizlized. Don't let them lay down or get too much water. They need dry time. That's all I can suggest.

Answer 5

rotting is usually caused by too much water, has it been raining a lot, or are you over watering? the soil may be holding too much mosture.

Answer 6

try putting some mulch under the vines if possible instead of sitting on the wet ground.