I'm getting ready to use Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) for the first time this year on my melons and squashes, but I'm seeing a lot of conflicting information online. I'd really appreciate any practical tips from those with real-world experience. Specifically, I'm curious about how much BT to inject, how often I should be doing it, and if it works well for brassicas, though I won't be planting those yet due to the heat. For reference, I'm working with melons like Kaho, Art's Ancient, Desert King, Sugar Baby, and Rich Sweetness, as well as squashes like Luffa, Tromboncino, and Costata Romanesca. Thanks in advance for any advice!
2 Answers
From my experience, you won't have much luck injecting BT into Tromboncino squashes since they have solid stems and are naturally resistant to borers. I've been injecting my zucchini, though! I mix 1 tsp of BT with 2 pints of water and start injecting once they begin to flower, typically once a week. I've been doing it for years and haven’t lost a plant to squash vine borers!
Thanks for this tip! I might have avoided a headache later on!
I usually get my BT from Amazon; they've got a range of options and fast shipping if you need it quickly. Just make sure to read the labels for concentration levels to get the right one for your needs!
Awesome, thanks for the heads up! I’ll check it out.
Yeah, that's solid advice! I had no idea about the Tromboncino strength until I tried, so I'm glad you mentioned it. Gonna stick with easier varieties this year!