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Pennsylvania

I heard that if a plant has a high brix level, it will repel insects. I also heard that molasses is a good way to raise it. So without even considering this I went out yesterday and applied my monster pumpkin sauce (2 tbsp. blackstrap molasses, 2 tbsp. fish emulsion, 2 gal. water) and found 3 squash bugs and at least 5 cucumberbeetles. This is a beastly infestation considering my vine isn't even touching the ground yet (yes, I was a bit late). The next day I go down and all I found was one cucumber beetle and it wasn't even on the plant, it was next to it. I killed the cuke and put on some sevin just as a precaution, but do you think this could've been from my monster pumpkin sauce?

6/24/2009 2:09:14 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Not likely from just one day. Brix levels take a while to acrue.

6/24/2009 7:48:56 AM

I'm in my second year of brix testing on these plants, not convinced that anything foliar raises the brix. Also have not seen or been able to really raise the levels with the program I am using. Is that significant? Hard to say.

Your bugs might have been on "break" when you checked that plant. Try some garlic barrier or get the chemical weapons out.

6/24/2009 10:18:03 AM

Massachusettts

Sam -

Braxton Hicks is unusual if you haven't even pollinated yet.

Craig

6/24/2009 12:38:01 PM

Pennsylvania

ROFLMAO!!! That was great.

6/24/2009 1:52:12 PM

Iowa

The only way to tell if a foliar has helped to reach high brix is to sample before and right after the foliar feeding. Say 1/2 hour or so, but one must have the soil there first.If the plant needs it will take it up, if not your just wasting time and money. This then would apply to all things sprayed (to leaves) and for different reasons...

6/24/2009 9:46:21 PM

I disagree Steve, testing within a 1/2 hour your test will be tweaked from the material that is on the leaf,,,not necessarily IN the leaf or the plant. IMO

Consistant testing over a season on a regular basis while keeping track of drenches and foliar apps is what a couple of us did last year, Results were poor at best, not any significant difference between the best plants with the biggest fruit, and the poorest or failed plants. I personally don't think brix is the key for these beasts.

6/24/2009 10:16:02 PM

Iowa

Ok good point I guess I ment if a plant does not need something it will not take it in by the leaves, so if it does your not at high brix. (Testing the first three inches off A sidevine.)I would agree with you that brix has little to do with large fruit!:)

6/26/2009 8:47:08 PM