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Bacterial Wilt of Cucumber Leaves turn dull green, then branches and finally the whole plant wilt and die. When the stem is cut and squeezed a sticky, stringy ooze comes out . Bacterial Wilt is spread by cucumber beetles and some varieties of Flea Beetles. Cucumber beetle migration and feeding is favored by dry weather. The disease is favored by temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees and frequent dews. Prevent its occurrence by controlling the beetles Beetles and other pests can be prevented
from feeding on plants by enclosing the plants in fine mesh wire
enclosure or cheesecloth tents supported by a framework as soon
as they emerge in the spring. The cheesecloth is stretched over
the frame and its lower edges weighted with stones or soil to
prevent beetles from crawling underneath. The cheescloth tent
should be removed as soon as the plant becomes well established.
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Bioneem
, Insecticidal soap
or Pyrethin
based products are registered to manage cucumber beetles.
The Cheesecloth method won't help much with aphids as they are too small but insecticidal soap and other methods will - see Aphid control
Botrytis blight is a fungus disease which infects a wide array of plants, Cucumbers being no exception. There are several species of the fungus Botrytis which can cause blights; the most common is Botrytis cinerea. Botrytis infections are prominent following, wet spring and summer weather . Gray mold (A common name for Botrytis blight ) can be particularly damaging when rainy, drizzly weather continues over several days. Botrytis blight can affect leaves, stems, crowns, flowers, flower buds, seeds, seedlings, bulbs, and just about any other part of a plant with the exception of the roots.
Control: Avoid crowding plants and overhead watering
, drip systems
are preferable. Prune away and
discard diseased tissue. Maintain healthy plants by locating
them properly, fertilize at the right time of year
with the proper nutrients, and keep a 2-3-inch
layer of mulch around the base of the plants.
Fungicides
are available, Bonide Remedy Fungicide
has proven effective against against Botrytis Fruit rot.
Any fungicides registered for grey mold control must be applied before infection takes place, they won't cure an existing infestation. If you've had problems with gray mold in the past apply fungicide before the infestation gets to the plant.
Botrytis is sometimes referred to as Gray Mold.
| Powdery mildew causes a white powdery growth on leaves
and stems. Infected parts turn yellow, shrivel and plants are
defoliated prematurely. Yield is greatly reduced and fruit
quality is poor. The disease is prevelant in humid weather with
frequent dew and temperatures between 70 and 90 degree [Image] There are a number of
products which can be utilized to control and eradicate Powdery
Mildew [Fungicides for the treatment of Powdery Mildew
Angular Leaf Spot During warm, wet weather, bacterial angular leafspot can cause serious yield and quality loss to cucumbers. The bacterium, also infects zucchini, squash, and many varieties of Melon. [Image of infected fruit] [ Image of infected leaf ] Bitter Cukes - not really a disease, but it can render a cucumber crop unpalatable The bitterness that is sometimes noticed in cucumbers is because of a substance known as cucurbitacin. Cucurbitacin is a toxin that is believed to play a role in cucumber disease resistance. The higher the concentration of this substance, the more intense the bitter taste. A very high concentration of cucurbitacin can cause a painful stomachache. Bitter Cuke Syndrome (I made that up ) is usually triggered by some environmental stress on the plant., and there is no real treatment, it is generally not recurring if proper gardening practices are adhered to. See:
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