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I was researching on this, said that really there is no way to stop cucumber mosaic, just try to control weeds for the bugs. It even said spraying a insecticide was not worth the time because it only takes one little guy to infect the whole plant and they can even bite the plant before they die from the spray. I'm in San Diego, no real bad bugs besides aphids or whiteflies. I got cucumber mosaic at the latter stages of the season last year. Is it worth spraying for mosaic with a fingicide? I just try to go organic myself, but afraid the mosaic will hit again. I have grown twice, got the mosaic once and the other time no mosaic. Any input would be great. Jim

5/23/2003 10:08:38 PM

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jIM,
Cucumber & Watermelon Virus' aren't controllable with Fungicides. Only Fungi are. These are Viral infections. Spread mostly by aphids. And aphids can transfer the virus in as little as a few seconds. So an insecticide would have to be very fast. Most aren't.

You are correct. The most widely accepted control practice is the removal of host vegetation that can feed/attract aphids in the area of your patch.

I only partly buy this approach. My gut tells me we can control aphids in seconds. With synergized pyrethrins. Piperonyl Butoxide (PBI) synergized Permethrin should kill aphids as fast as they can land. But there is no research on this approach because we are a economically insignificant group of growers.

Kicker (PBI) plus Pounce or Astro (Permethrin) is what I have in mind here.

I can't say this *will* work. Only that it *might*.

Steve

5/23/2003 10:24:38 PM