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San Diego

First off, before my question, I'm looking for steve Daletas email, I had it and lost it. ooops. please let me know if you have it. Second, I have heard conflicting reports on mosaic virus, I had it and want to make sure I do my best not to get it again. Many people on this site say only an infected bug next year biting my plant will bring it back, yet I read Don Langevin's pumpkin book which says it can harbor in your soil and bring it back. What's right? If part of my infected plant has tiny decomposed pieces in my soil will it come back? I will clean up my area as best I can but I'm scared it will return. Thanks, Jim

9/12/2002 9:58:57 PM

Columbus Ohio

Jim
I had mosaic virus 2 years ago and I have not had it since. It is transported by Aphids that pick it up from a host plant. Aphids can come in with a storm front so there is little you can do to prevent that. I use warrior wich kills all bugs, but it does one better also it repels bugs from even gettting on your plants. I really believe that is why I have not gotten it again.
Keep your weed under control and get on a good spray program with warrior or schimatar and you should be just fine next year.
John

9/12/2002 11:06:52 PM

Kentucky - USA

They are a very slim chance it will come back next year.

My plants got the mosaic virus a couple of years ago real early in the season. After destroying them.. I replanted several weeks later which came up and didnt get infected for the rest of the season.

I would suggest though not planting the same seeds next year because some plants can catch the virus more easily than others.

Tadams

P.S.(Sorry if this double posts because I didnt see it the first time)

9/12/2002 11:20:38 PM

Kuna, Id.

Jim,
Just got mine back from the lab, they dont have it but I was told that no virus winters in the soil.John is right when it comes to the aphids. I was told all it takes is one aphid to make a plant sick. And they gave me some names of product to control them.I let lose about 20,000. lady bugs early this yr. But ya cant spend 24-7 in the patch so just hope there are no sick plants in your area for them to bring to your patch.
Ken

9/13/2002 12:21:34 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Yo Ken, You mean no Mosaic virus winters in the soil! There are plenty others that do. Curcubits have a ton of viruses and if a patch hasn't been working best to let it sit for a year without any vining plant to get rid of them! I know it's tough to do when you only have one spot, but the heartache every year of watching a vine grow for the virus to eat is worse! Chuck

9/13/2002 8:19:21 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Anyone ever try soil sterilization?? i never tried it myself but i did some ready about once.

here's the basics of it.

Soil sterilization does work, and it works best during the
hot months of July and August.

Till up the soil in the area you the ground thoroughly. Then, cover it with clear plastic, weighting down the sides.
Leave it covered 6–8 weeks, and you should have clean soil to work in. (But be careful that you don’t re-infect
your garden with dirty tools.)


Glenn

9/13/2002 10:24:14 AM

Southern Illinois

ken do any of you guys use a soil fumigant,i use telone c-35 ,it is a soil fungicide and nematicide,to control nematodes,symphylans and soil borne diseases,it will kill alot of pests that is in the ground when you spray.

9/13/2002 12:18:05 PM

Connecticut, USA

Disease can winter over in plant matter that is in your soil though. Think about how many very large roots there are on a fully grown giant pumpkin plant!

9/13/2002 12:35:50 PM