Diseases Of Cucumbers. Part 1

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Diseases of cucumbers - such unpleasant diseases can completely deprive summer residents of a successful harvest. Various infections can cause the greatest harm to plants, in total there are about twenty such diseases in greenhouse cucumbers. In this article we will talk about the most dangerous diseases and how to deal with them

The first disease will be the so-called ordinary mosaic. Such a disease is characterized as follows: spots appear on very young leaves, sometimes such damaged tissue can fall out, and holes begin to form in the leaves themselves. The greatest danger is caused by spots of a rounded shape, because they are the result of the appearance of a variety of parasitic fungi. These include anthracnose, ascochitosis, cladosporium and other species. Actually, it should be noted that the symptoms of such diseases are very similar to each other, for this reason it is sometimes very difficult to distinguish one disease from another.

Of course, laboratory tests are available in industrial greenhouses to determine the type of fungus. As for ordinary garden greenhouses, then you should very carefully inspect the plants every time. The fight should be started from the moment when there are very few such spots. In this case, dusting with ash or its mixture with the addition of lime will be a useful method of struggle. The leaves should be powdered on all sides; such a remedy is considered universal for any spot. Spraying water over the leaves is also permissible, in this case, the effect of ash will be more effective. If an impressive number of spots have already appeared, then it is necessary to remove those leaves that have been most completely exposed to such an infection.

A disease such as powdery mildew refers to fungal diseases. This problem will be accompanied by sporulation on the leaf surface. Powdery mildew is characterized by a white bloom, which is presented in the form of rounded spots. Over time, this plaque will spread to the entire surface of the sheet. Even when such spots appear, the affected leaves should be cut off, and then dusting with ash should be done. You can also spray the leaves on all sides with a weak infusion of mullein or colloidal sulfur: at the rate of forty grams per ten liters of water.

Very often, multifaceted light uneven spots may appear, which are located closer to the very edge of the sheet. This happens with sharp cold snaps at night. These spots will grow very quickly and turn red. Over time, a gray-olive bloom will appear on the underside of the leaf. Such a leaf will surely die. This disease is called downy mildew or peronosporosis. As soon as you notice the appearance of the first symptoms, you should stop watering the plant and feed it. The greenhouse should be ventilated, and the leaves themselves should be sprayed with milk whey.

Another fungal disease will be olive spot. In this case, yellow-brown spots will appear on the leaves, and dark watery spots will appear on the fruits themselves. Over time, the fruits will become susceptible to curvature. This disease begins to spread towards the end of summer. The greenhouse should also be ventilated, and those parts of the plants that have been affected should be immediately destroyed.

Very often in the second half of summer, gray rot may appear. This disease manifests itself as follows: the stems and leaf stalks turn into slimy. Here you should prepare a certain mass, which in its consistency is similar to sour cream. This will require mixing chalk, water and potassium permanganate. The rot that appears should be wiped off with a bunch of grass or a cut off rough leaf of the cucumber itself. And the wound itself should be lubricated with the resulting mixture. Such measures must be taken in the morning, then by the evening this sore spot will dry out.

In warm weather, these diseases are considered the most common. And when a cold snap occurs, the leaves on the plants may begin to wither. However, by the evening everything is restored again. Nevertheless, this will all be repeated daily, and eventually the plants will become more and more susceptible to this phenomenon. In this case, the plants can no longer be saved.

Continuation…