Diseases Of Cucumbers. Part 2

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

We continue the conversation about the diseases of cucumbers

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Very often, not only young plants are sick, but also those that have already begun to bear fruit. In the event that such plants are pulled out of the ground, it becomes noticeable that they all have red and rotten roots. This disease is called root rot and is one of the most dangerous and common diseases. As for the external manifestations of the disease, it is difficult to distinguish it from vascular bacteriosis.

The reason for the development of such a disease will be unfavorable conditions during the growth of plants, especially when it comes to fruiting. Over time, the plants will weaken and various fungi and bacteria that live in the soil can attack them. In the event that plants grow for a long time in the same place, then the number of such pests in the bud increases many times and only accumulates over the years. For the same reason, the risk of the appearance of the disease increases.

Weaker cucumbers grow on acidic and fairly dense soils. In addition, plants can weaken both at low temperatures and at excessively high temperatures. Indeed, at such temperatures, the roots of cucumbers do not have the ability to work at full strength. Excessive and insufficient watering can also weaken cucumbers, in particular this circumstance applies to cold water.

As soon as the first signs of the disease appear, treatment should be started immediately. A layer of fertile soil can be added to the stems of young plants, in this case the plants will be able to give new roots. In the case when the cucumbers are already quite mature, then the lower leaves should be cut from the stems and these cut points should be allowed to dry. After that, you should lay the stem on the ground and add fertile soil. After one or two weeks, additional roots will already grow. Then more earth is poured, in this case the plant can be saved.

If the disease has already been developing for a very long time, then you will have to dig out the plant itself with the soil, and fill the rest of the place with nutritious soil. In this case, the rest of the plants will be easier to survive.

However, it is advisable to take preventive measures in advance. For example, you should choose seeds from those varieties that are most resistant to infections and diseases that are characteristic of your conditions. In addition, it will be important to observe crop rotation; it is not recommended to plant cucumbers in the same place again earlier than two or three years. You can also change the soil periodically, especially the top layer, which is ten centimeters thick. After all, it is in this part that the majority of the most dangerous pests will be inhabited.

Spraying the soil with tincture of nettle will allow you to strengthen the microflora. The tincture is made as follows: the bucket is filled with chopped nettle shoots, then filled with water. After that, you should cover the bucket with a lid and put it in a sunny place. This mixture should be stirred every day. It is recommended to wait at least a week, then gas bubbles should already appear. When the mixture starts to smell very unpleasant, it will mean that the mixture is already ready. Before spraying, the mixture must be diluted with water in a ratio of one to ten.

If you are growing cucumbers in a greenhouse, then a dry wind will be necessary on sunny days. Such plants will become healthier and more resistant to various diseases. The greenhouse should be opened early in the morning. However, if you open the greenhouse later, drafts can occur: after all, the greenhouse itself is very warm. Also, every morning it is necessary to carefully examine all the plants and see if there are any foreign spots and holes on them. Closer to the evening, the greenhouses should be closed, in this case the heat will remain much longer. Actually, then, the most active growth of cucumbers begins, because an optimal microclimate has been created for them.

When caring for cucumbers, a thorough and regular examination is very important, because this is the only way to avoid the manifestation of various diseases in the future.