Cucumbers plants turning yellow
Why Your Cucumber Leaves Are Turning Yellow
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Cucumbers are refreshing summer treats that provide a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and hydration. One of the most widely-grown backyard veggies in the U.S., cucumbers can grow and produce mightily under the right circumstances. Still, if your cucumber leaves are starting to turn yellow, it might be time to examine your growing situation and find out which of your potential pickling produce’s needs aren’t being met.
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Why are my cucumber leaves turning yellow?
According to GardeningVibe, the loss of green coloration could be caused by a loss of chlorophyll, the compound in plants that gives that distinct green color and is essential for converting sunlight into energy. Any loss of chlorophyll is known as chlorosis and it can be a death knell for your cucumber plant.
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The solution can be rectified, of course, but the first step is determining what exactly is causing the chlorosis in the first place. The discoloration could be caused by a number of different factors, which we detail below.
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Water problems
Cucumbers can be overwatered, just like any other plant. Cucumbers only need about 1 to 2 inches of water a week. Too much water could lead to oxygen-deprived roots, which, according to GardeningVibe, can cause the leaves to turn yellow or wilt. The problem could be caused by soil drainage, but you can rectify this problem by loosening the soil with sand or growing your cucumbers in raised gardening boxes.
Underwatering can also cause wilting, though, so keep that in mind.
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Soil problems
Cucumbers are notoriously heavy feeders when it comes to soil nutrients, and according to SFGate, their leaves can turn yellow if they aren’t getting enough nitrogen or potassium in their “diet.” Nitrogen is an essential nutrient when it comes to plant growth. It encourages foliage growth and is necessary to keep those leaves full, green, and healthy.
Adding nitrogen to the soil could put an end to the yellowing problem, and you can do this by adding some compost, coffee grounds, or other nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the soil. If your leaves are a deep yellow or bronze, then a lack of phosphorus could be the culprit.
This sort of deficiency will result in less fruit production, so it won’t be hard to miss. If this is the case, try looking for organic fertilizers that are rich in phosphorus.
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Note that either of these deficiencies could point to soil problems all throughout your yard, so you may want to spend some time preparing the soil for gardening before you plant the following year.
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Sunlight problems
Most of us know to plant our cucumbers in a good, sunny spot in the garden, but yellowing, droopy leaves could be an indication that your cukes aren’t getting nearly enough sunlight. If you suspect this is the case, try moving them to a place where the sun will shine on them for at least six hours a day.
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Pest problems
According to GardeningVibe, insects and other garden pests are a common cause of leaf discoloration. Aphids, whiteflies, potato leafhoppers, and spider mites are among the most common garden pests. Many of these little buggers suck nutrients and sap out of cucumber leaves, leaving small, yellow patches behind.
Plant experts recommend using insecticides on these types of bugs, but we would recommend using a homemade or natural insecticide rather than a potentially toxic one. You could also remove all the weeds and other grasses from your vegetable patch to minimize the number of insectile pests that can call your garden home.
As you can see, there are many root causes of chlorosis out there, but just as many solutions.
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Why are my cucumber leaves turning yellow? |
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'Why are my cucumber leaves turning yellow?' – it's an enduring question amongst gardeners who grow this quirky fruit – but the answer is simple.
Knowing how to grow cucumbers is the same as any other plant: meaning light and water levels are crucial to healthy growth. So, if you notice your cucumber leaves turning yellow, it is likely down to one of these factors.
Whether you're learning how to grow cucumbers vertically – or you're growing from the ground or pot – your fruit is not immune from yellow leaves. Here's exactly what causes discoloring and how to avoid it in your produce.
Why are my cucumber leaves turning yellow?
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According to Tom Hilton, director of outdoor and indoor garden specialists at National Greenhouse , yellowing occurs when the leaves lose chlorophyll – a pigment that gives plants their green color. Chlorophyll also aids photosynthesis (allowing the plant to convert light into energy).
'The minute you see those cucumber leaves yellowing, it's time to take action,' Tom says. 'The main causes of this discoloration can be issues with the soil, overwatering, and of course, sunlight problems.'
Alongside these key problems, Oliver Hill, Founder of Garden List , suggests that pets may be responsible for yellowing leaves. 'Aphids, whiteflies, and cucumber beetles are all common pests that can damage cucumber plants,' she adds. 'If you suspect that your cucumber plant is suffering from one of these problems, be sure to take action immediately to keep your plant healthy.'
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How to stop cucumber leaves from turning yellow
Knowing when to plant cucumber seeds is one way to set your fruit up for success, but perfecting a care routine is equally impactful.
Here's what the experts recommend.
1. Maximise sunlight
Your cucumber plants should receive at least six hours of sunlight daily – to boost their health and avoid discoloring. If your cucumbers aren’t getting enough sunlight, they will likely droop, and yellowing will appear in the leaves. Therefore, Tom suggests moving your cucumbers from shady spots (where possible) to a sunnier area of your garden.
2. Avoid overwatering
Emma Loker from DIY Garden explains that overwatering is one of the most common reasons your cucumber leaves turn yellow. Knowing when to water plants is key to their success, but what is the best time for the job? The expert recommends watering in the morning – avoiding the leaves as this 'encourages diseases.'
However, 'the best way to water cucumber plants is using a drip irrigation system or soaker hose,' Emma says. This allows you to keep track of the water levels, so your crop is never at risk of drowning.
3. Monitor nutrients in the soil
Your cucumber plant's diet is another crucial issue in regard to yellowing.
'You should check the cucumber plant is getting the right soil nutrients,' Tom instructs. 'Potassium and nitrogen are two key ingredients they love, helping to encourage growth in foliage and keeping the leaves healthy and green.
To ensure your cucumber receives a good diet, you can invest in a fertilizer that fills the soil with everything they need to grow healthier.
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Should I cut yellow leaves off cucumber plant?
Yes, it is better to remove any leaves that have turned yellow as they may limit light from reaching the healthy part of your fruit. It will also encourage air circulation, which is beneficial to the plant overall. However, after removing the leaves, it is important to follow the prevention steps above to allow other leaves to grow healthier for a tasty crop.
What do overwatered cucumbers look like?
Overwatered cucumbers often show signs of yellowing leaves first. As Emma suggests, finding the correct water levels is imperative to your fruit's success, and if you're overwatering them, your leaves will suffer.
To avoid this, you should water slowly in the morning or set up a drip irrigation system that monitors the water levels automatically.
Megan is the News and Trends Editor at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes. As the News Editor, she often focuses on emerging microtrends, sleep and wellbeing stories, and celebrity-focused pieces. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
Why cucumber leaves turn yellow and dry and what to do about it
What to do if the leaves of cucumbers turn yellow and wither? How to correct the situation and save the plant? We understand why the leaves of cucumbers turn yellow in a greenhouse, greenhouse or in the garden.
In most cases, the yellowing of cucumber leaves is the result of improper care or violation of optimal growing conditions. Slightly less yellow leaves indicate diseases or "starvation" of the plant. Let's figure out how to recognize the cause of the discoloration of the foliage and eliminate it. nine0003
Causes of yellowing leaves in cucumbers
There may be several reasons why cucumber leaves began to turn yellow.
1. Irrigation failure . If you water cucumbers too infrequently, or often, but with insufficient water, the plant will quickly dehydrate. The first sign of this problem is yellowing of the leaves. Excessive watering is no less dangerous - cucumbers can rot.
With proper watering, the soil at a depth of 10 cm should be moderately moist. nine0003
2. Fertilizer shortage . Perhaps the cucumbers need feeding. During the growing season, plants need complex nitrogen fertilizers. With their lack, the leaves begin to turn yellow.
3. Subcooling . Low temperatures also stress the plant and result in yellow leaves.
4. Sunburn . If you water your cucumbers during the day and the leaves get wet, yellow spots on them may indicate a sunburn. To prevent this, watering is carried out only in the morning or in the evening. nine0003
5. Diseases and viruses . The leaves of affected cucumbers turn yellow and wither. A common cause of yellow leaves is fusarium.
7. Damage to the root system . If the roots of the cucumber are eaten by pests, or they were damaged when planting seedlings in the ground, during weeding or loosening, the leaves will inevitably begin to turn yellow.
Causes of yellowing and curling of cucumber leaves
Curling of cucumber leaves in combination with their yellowing can indicate serious problems. nine0003
1. Lack of batteries . If you notice that the leaves of cucumbers have begun to turn pale and at the same time twist downwards, perhaps the reason lies in a nitrogen deficiency.
Inspect the leaves, if they are stretched lengthwise, and the leaf plate has not grown, the problem will most likely go away after complex feeding.
2. Powdery mildew . In the middle of summer, powdery mildew damages vegetable crops. As a result of this disease of cucumbers, the leaves turn yellow and curl. For the prevention and control of scourge, plants are sprayed with a 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid, and the greenhouse or greenhouse is regularly ventilated. nine0003
3. Pests . If the leaves began to curl and turn pale, acquiring a yellowish tint, it is possible that the plant was "attacked" by pests. Look at the back of the sheet. Perhaps it is dotted with aphids or spider mites. In this case, cucumbers should be sprayed with insecticides (Aktara, Iskra) or acaricides (Anticlesch, Apollo, Fufanon-Nova), respectively.
4. Viruses . If you comply with all the recommended conditions of detention, carried out top dressing and preventive treatments for diseases and pests, but the leaves of cucumbers still turn yellow and deform, this is most likely a symptom of a viral disease.
Unfortunately, in this case, it remains only to destroy the affected plant until the virus has spread throughout your garden. nine0003
5. Hypothermia or burns . Failure to comply with the optimal temperature regime often leads to yellowing of cucumber leaves. If the leaves of seedlings or young plants touch hot or cold glass in the sun (windows, greenhouse walls), this can also lead to their twisting. Therefore, it is desirable to plant plants so that they do not come into contact with glass.
6. Low air humidity . With a lack of moisture, the plant tries to reduce the area of evaporation and twists the leaves into tubules. The problem will be solved with sufficient watering and humidification of dry air in the shelter. nine0003
Why the lower leaves of cucumbers turn yellow
Most often, problems arise precisely with the lower leaves of cucumbers, since under stressful conditions the plant throws all its strength on the most "promising" parts - the upper leaves and ovaries that produce the crop.
Therefore, sometimes the yellowing of the lower leaves of cucumbers is a natural process, and not the result of disease.
Most likely, this plant itself gets rid of the lower leaves, because it cannot feed them
1. Insufficient lighting . Healthy cucumber lashes are covered with dense foliage. Therefore, do not be surprised that the sun's rays cannot penetrate to the very bottom of the bush. In this case, the plant naturally gets rid of the "ballast".
2. Wrong watering . As we said above, non-compliance with the watering regimen for cucumbers can lead to wilting and yellowing of the leaves.
3. Subcooling . When hypothermia, the lower leaves turn pale first. nine0003
4. Lack of batteries . The yellowness of the leaves in the lower part of the plant most often indicates a deficiency of magnesium, potassium, phosphorus. True, in order to make up for it, it is advisable to use complex top dressing.
This way you reduce the risk of incorrect fertilization.
5. Fungal diseases . The lower leaves are primarily infected with Fusarium, Pitiosis and other fungal diseases. In this case, the whips become weak and frail. Affected leaves must be removed and burned immediately to prevent the spread of the disease. nine0003
6. Old age . By the end of the season, cucumber leaves, like most plants, turn yellow and dry out. This is a natural process.
If the hot weather is suddenly replaced by rain and cooling, in the very near future, expect a "visit" fungus. How to spray cucumbers so that the leaves do not turn yellow in this case? Ordinary whey, garlic infusion will help (50 g per 1 liter of water, leave for a day). From industrial preparations, you can use biofungicides - Bacterra, Sporobacterin, Fitosporin-M or stronger chemicals - Previkur Energy, Topaz, Thiovit Jet. nine0003
Why cucumber leaves and ovaries turn yellow
If not only the lower leaves, but also the upper leaves and ovaries of a cucumber turn yellow, it's time to sound the alarm.
If you do not take urgent measures, you can lose the entire crop.
1. Lack of sun is a common cause of yellowing of cucumber leaves and ovaries. Insufficient lighting of the lower leaves for a cucumber is not fatal, but if there is not enough light in the upper part of the plant, the problem must be solved quickly.
2. Subcooling . In cold weather, the ovaries and leaves of cucumbers turn yellow and can dry out as a result.
3. Mineral deficiency . Most often, cucumbers lack nitrogen and potassium, which are washed out of the soil with frequent watering. Make up for this lack of complex mineral top dressing.
Optimum temperature conditions for growing cucumbers: before fruiting in the daytime in clear weather 22-24°C, in cloudy weather - 20-22°C, at night - 17-18°C; during fruiting during the day in clear weather 23-26°C, in cloudy weather - 21-23°C, at night - 18-20°C.
Why do cucumber leaves turn yellow?
So, you have noticed that cucumber leaves are turning yellow around the edges, and you do not know what to do. First you need to understand the reasons for changing the color of the leaves.
1. Fungal disease . Often powdery mildew begins to hit the leaf from the edge. If you suspect a fungus, especially if the weather turned bad the day before, treat the cucumbers with 1% Bordeaux liquid. You should not get carried away with this drug, as an overdose can burn the plant. nine0003
2. Lack of moisture . Dry air and insufficient watering can cause the leaf to turn yellow and dry, often starting at the edges.
3. Deficiency of elements , in particular potassium. A light-yellow border appears along the edge of the leaves. The issue is resolved by carrying out complex feeding.
What to do if the leaves of cucumbers in the greenhouse turn yellow
Due to non-compliance with the recommended growing conditions, vegetable crops in greenhouses infect diseases.
The first symptom of many of them may be yellowing of the leaves. To restore their healthy color, you must follow the recommendations below. nine0003
1. Follow watering schedule . During flowering and fruiting, on average, cucumbers are watered every 2-3 days at the rate of 10 liters per 1 sq.m. Naturally, on drier days, watering should be increased, and on rainy and cloudy weather, reduced.
To determine if cucumber beds need watering, carefully dig the soil between the plants to a depth of 10 cm. If the soil is too wet, do not water the cucumbers yet.
2. Maintain a comfortable temperature . Above, we have already talked about the optimal temperature regime for cucumbers. Try to keep the air temperature in the greenhouse and greenhouse at this level to prevent drying out and burns or hypothermia.
3. Air the cucumbers regularly. So that the bushes do not start to rot, it is important to moderately ventilate greenhouses and hotbeds, especially in hot weather.
This will help reduce the risk of developing downy mildew and other fungal diseases.
Downy mildew affects cucumbers when there is too much moisture
4. Be sure to feed cucumbers . If the yellowness of the leaves does not indicate a more serious problem, most likely it will go away after complex top dressing.
5. Treat for diseases and pests . A 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid will help to cope with the fungus. From aphids, you can spray cucumbers with a solution of nitroammophoska (3 tablespoons per 10 liters of water). A solution of colloidal sulfur (80 g per 10 liters of water) or the Antiklesh preparation will cope with the spider mite. nine0003
6. Do not thicken . The yellowing of the leaves may be due to too dense placement of cucumbers in the greenhouse. Firstly, it limits the sun's rays from reaching the lower part of the plants, which causes the leaves to turn yellow and die.
Secondly, such conditions contribute to the emergence and spread of fungal infections.
What to do if cucumber leaves turn yellow in the open field
Why do cucumbers turn yellow in the garden? There may be several reasons. To keep your cucumbers healthy and green, follow these care tips. nine0003
1. Cover cucumbers during cold weather . Do not allow plants to become too cold, cover them with spunbond or film in a timely manner.
2. Follow watering rates . If the leaves turn yellow simply because the cucumbers dried up from the heat, resume normal watering - the plants will soon come to their senses. If you overdid it with watering, and the leaves turned yellow due to decay, you need to take urgent measures: loosen the bushes or sprinkle the soil under them with wood ash and sand. nine0003
If cucumbers are affected by blackleg, work the soil in the beds with a pink solution of potassium permanganate.
3.
Apply fertilizer . Feed cucumbers regularly with organic and complex mineral fertilizers. The yellowing of the leaves may be caused by "starvation".
4. Treat cucumbers for diseases and pests . Inspect plants regularly to stop the development of diseases in the bud and quickly identify insects that harm cucumbers. nine0003
5. Do not water the cucumbers during the day . The same applies to foliar fertilizing. Yellowing leaves may be due to sunburn.
What to do if the leaves of the cucumber seedlings on the balcony turn yellow
In general, the causes of the yellowing of the leaves of the cucumber seedlings are the same as in adult plants, however there are several other possible factors that cause this problem.
1. Containers too tight . If young plants begin to turn yellow, it is possible that the seedlings are simply cramped in pots, and the root system cannot develop normally.
The simplest solution is to transplant the seedlings into larger containers. nine0003
2. High humidity . To prevent fungal diseases from developing, regulate the humidity of the air by ventilating the balcony.
3. Wrong watering . The leaves begin to turn yellow with excessive or insufficient watering.
4. Lack of batteries . To prevent a deficiency of the elements necessary for the good development of seedlings (and, consequently, yellowing of the leaves), feed the seedlings in the phase of 2-4 true leaves with a complex nitrogen fertilizer (according to the instructions). Remember - before planting in the ground, it is impossible to feed cucumbers with organic matter. nine0003
You can make your own mixture for feeding cucumbers. To do this, dilute 10 g of ammonium nitrate, 10 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium sulfate in 10 liters of water. This solution is only suitable for root dressings - if it gets on the green parts of the plant, it can leave a burn.
What to do if cucumber leaves turn yellow in spots
If yellow spots appear on cucumber leaves, most likely the plant is affected by a fungal disease.
1. Anthracnose . If you notice round yellowish-brown spots with blurry edges on the leaves of a cucumber, on which pinkish pads form in high humidity, your cucumbers are sick with anthracnose. Another symptom of this disease is concave oblong sores on the stems and petioles of the plant.
Fight this disease with a 1% suspension of colloidal sulfur, which is sprayed on the plants. The next treatment (after 1-2 weeks) must be carried out with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. All areas affected by the fungus are treated with a 0.5% solution of copper sulfate and sprinkled with crushed coal. nine0003
2. Downy mildew . Downy mildew can be recognized by rounded yellow spots on the top of the leaf and a whitish coating on the bottom. The leaves quickly begin to turn brown, dry and die.
Stop watering the cucumbers for a week and spray the plants with a solution of OxyHOM (20 g per 10 liters of water). At least three weeks before fruiting, young cucumbers can also be treated with Consento (20 ml per 5 liters of water). Spraying is carried out only in the evening. nine0003
If your cucumbers are sick with downy mildew, the measures described will only help delay the spread of the disease. In autumn, the plants will need to be burned, and cucumbers can be re-sown in the same place no earlier than after 7 years.
3. Burn . The appearance of yellow spots on cucumber leaves can also be explained by sunburn. You may have watered or sprayed your plants during the daytime under strong sunlight. In this case, the only advice is to water the cucumbers early in the morning or in the evening. nine0003
How to treat cucumbers so that their leaves do not turn yellow
To stop or prevent the yellowing of cucumber leaves, you can treat the bushes with the following "tricky" solutions.
1. Milk and soap shake . In 10 liters of water, add 1 liter of milk, 20 g of laundry soap, 30 drops of iodine. The soap should completely dissolve. Treat cucumbers with this solution from the moment the second pair of true leaves appear every 10 days.
2. Bread with iodine . Soak a loaf of black or white bread in a bucket of water overnight. In the morning, knead the bread, pour in a jar of iodine. Dilute 1 liter of concentrate in 10 liters of water. Spray the cucumbers with the solution every two weeks.
3. Onion infusion . Pour a jar (0.7 l) of onion peel with 10 l of water. Put the container on the fire and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover with a lid, leave to infuse for 14 hours. Strain, dilute with water in a ratio of 1:4. Spray the leaves of cucumbers, pour the rest under the bush. nine0003
4. Potassium permanganate . At the first sign of yellowing of the leaves, spray them with a 1% potassium permanganate solution.
How can you water and feed cucumbers so that the leaves do not turn yellow
In order for the leaves of cucumbers not to turn yellow, it is important to feed the plants in time.
1. Nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers . It is best to use ready-made complex fertilizers, but you can prepare top dressing yourself. In a bucket of water (10 l), dilute 10 g of superphosphate, ammonium nitrate and potassium salt each. This solution can only be applied to root top dressing. nine0003
2. Herbal infusion . The safest feeding of cucumbers is with herbal fertilizers. Comfrey fertilizer is best suited for cucumbers. To prepare it, 1 kg of fresh chopped grass is poured with a bucket of water and insisted for a week. The resulting concentrate is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:9. The solution can be used both for spraying and for root dressing.
After using this green manure, it is also advisable to sprinkle the tree circles with wood ash.
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3. Soda solution . To prevent fungal diseases, pour young cucumbers with a solution of soda (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water).
4. Urea . Dilute 40 g of urea in a bucket of water and spray the cucumber bushes with the resulting solution. At the same time with this top dressing, rotted compost is introduced under the roots.
Folk remedies against yellowing of cucumber leaves
How to spray cucumbers so that the leaves do not turn yellow if you do not accept "chemistry" on your site? We have a couple of working folk recipes. nine0003
1. Fermented milk solution . Milk whey or kefir will help at the first sign of yellowness on cucumbers. Serum or kefir is diluted with water in a ratio of 2:10. Plants are sprayed with this solution.
To speed up fruit set, you can add 1 cup of sugar to this mixture.
2. Mullein infusion . Dilute 1 kg of manure with 3 liters of water, leave for 3 days.
Strain the concentrate and dilute with water in a ratio of 1:3. Spray cucumbers. This will serve as both a foliar top dressing and a remedy for powdery mildew. nine0003
3. Ash infusion . 30 tbsp wood ash, pour 10 liters of water, leave to infuse for 2 days. Spray the plants with the resulting infusion.
We hope that our material has helped you figure out why cucumber leaves turn yellow in your garden and how to deal with it. We also recommend reading an article about why cucumber ovaries turn yellow.
what to do, why they turn yellow in the greenhouse and open field
Useful information about cucumbers
| Scientific name | Cucumer sowing (Cucumis sativus) |
| Homeland of plants | India |
| Types of varieties | Enlarms are pollinated, they are intended for open wrappers. in greenhouses and in open ground |
| Optimum temperature for growth and fruiting | 18 - 25 °С |
Why cucumber leaves turn yellow in a greenhouse
It would seem that in the greenhouse all the conditions are created for cucumbers to feel great, but they suddenly begin to turn yellow.
There are a number of reasons for this.
1. Violation of the watering regime
Like for humans, "hunger" and "overeating" are harmful to cucumbers. In the first case, they receive less moisture and nutrients, which is why, in order to survive, they begin to shed their leaves; in the second, their root system begins to rot.
2. Low air humidity
In the greenhouse, it is necessary to maintain sufficient humidity so that the cucumbers feel good and grow confidently. If there is not enough moisture, they begin to turn yellow.
3. Violation of the temperature regime
Cucumbers have their own temperature limits: hypothermia or overheating will immediately lead to yellowing of the leaves. Therefore, it is important to observe the temperature regime.
4. Poor lighting
If the greenhouse receives too little light, cucumbers can also wither, because they are quite light-loving plants. nine0003
5. Stagnant air
Stagnant air in a greenhouse is an ideal breeding ground for all kinds of pests, fungi and viruses.
6. Lack of nitrogen
Contrary to popular belief, nitrates are not a poison, but a very valuable fertilizer for agricultural plants. And, if they are not enough in the soil, plants, including cucumbers, begin to wither, turn yellow and even dry out.
7. Pests
Cucumbers are loved not only by people, but also by many pests: aphids, spider mites and many others. They easily penetrate into greenhouses with contaminated soil, diseased seedlings, on the clothes and shoes of summer residents. nine0003
8. Fungal diseases
Greenhouses always have high humidity, and this is an ideal environment for the development of fungal diseases. The most common of these are powdery mildew and downy mildew (downy mildew). They appear, as a rule, in the middle of summer. The leaves of the diseased plant begin to turn yellow and curl.
9. Viruses
Cucumber leaves may also turn yellow due to the fact that the plant is affected by a viral disease.
They are not treated, so the diseased bush must be urgently removed from the garden until the disease spreads to other bushes. nine0003
10. Aging
Do not forget that cucumbers are subject to aging, and leaves often turn yellow, which have simply outlived their age.
What to do if cucumbers turn yellow in a greenhouse
As you can see, the reasons for yellowing cucumbers in greenhouses can be very different. And now let's figure out what needs to be provided for cucumbers so as not to lose the coveted crop.
1. Proper watering
Since cucumbers contain a lot of water, for their full development in the greenhouse it is necessary to create a humid atmosphere and provide them with frequent watering.
It is best to use settled water at room temperature (1). nine0003
2. Optimum temperature
Monitor the temperature inside the greenhouse. The optimum temperature for the growth of cucumbers is 22 - 26 ° C during the day and 18 - 20 ° C at night. Your plantings will react to deviations in one direction or another by yellowing leaves (2).
3. Good lighting
Pay great attention to the light transmission of the greenhouse - cucumbers love good lighting. Before sowing seeds or planting seedlings, wash the windows well. And it is important to observe the distance between plants - 35 - 40 cm. If the cucumber bushes are planted too closely to each other, they receive less light, and in addition, it is much easier to exchange spores of harmful fungi, viruses and parasites. nine0003
4. Nitrogen fertilization
When digging greenhouse beds, be sure to apply nitrogen fertilizer there. You can use manure for these purposes - 2 buckets per 1 sq. m.
6.
Removal of infected leaves As soon as you notice that the leaves of cucumbers begin to cover whitish spots - powdery mildew or downy mildew, immediately remove the affected parts of the plant and burn them. The spores of these fungi are very volatile and can infect all the plants in the greenhouse very quickly. nine0003
7. Timely treatment of plants with preparations
At the first sign of disease, use fungicides and pesticides to control fungi and pests. Please note that the substance is intended exclusively for protected ground (greenhouses). The preparations can be used for spraying plants, applying them to the soil, or for soaking seeds in them before planting. Suitable for greenhouse cucumbers: Bitoxibacillin (from spider mites), Bioslip (from aphids), Biovert (from whiteflies, thrips, spider mites), Fitoverm (from spider mites, thrips) (3) and others. nine0003
Attention!
Read the instructions carefully before using the drug.
8.
Proper selection of varieties Today, there are many varieties of cucumbers with innate immunity against many fungal and viral diseases, and some are able to resist even pests.
Why cucumbers turn yellow in the open field
There are no less reasons for the yellowing of leaves in cucumbers growing in the open air than in a greenhouse. nine0003
1. Insufficient watering
Cucumbers love water, so if the soil in the beds is constantly dry, they begin to turn yellow and even drop flowers. However, excessively abundant watering is also harmful to them - this may cause the roots to rot.
2. Low air humidity
Cucumbers grown outdoors in southern latitudes often turn yellow, where the air temperature is very high in summer and precipitation is extremely rare. Cucumbers do not like this very much, and they begin to turn yellow and dry. nine0003
3. Lack of light
If you plant cucumbers in heavy shade, they will not like it.
The plants will be frail, and the leaves will quickly turn yellow and fall off.
4. Unfavorable weather conditions
Cucumbers are quite thermophilic, and if summer is short in your latitudes, it is better to plant seedlings under a film, otherwise it may freeze. However, in the south, exactly the opposite threatens cucumbers - an excessively hot sun can simply burn them.
5. Lack of nitrogen or potassium in the soil
Poorly fertilized soil can also cause wilting. Moreover, if with a lack of nitrogen the leaves simply turn yellow, then potassium deficiency causes a very characteristic picture: the leaves turn yellow and dry along the edges (4).
6. Pests
Who doesn't want to eat cucumbers! Aphids, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, slugs, snails - someone gnaws large holes in the leaves, and someone draws all the juices from the plant. Of course, damage to plants, especially massive damage, leads to yellowing of the leaves and wilting of the plant.
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7. Fungal diseases
Fungi, and especially powdery mildew, is a real doomsday sword hanging over all cucumber plantings. It affects all parts of the plant, including leaves.
8. Aging
If yellowing occurred at the end of summer, then most likely your cucumbers have already outlived their usefulness and dry simply from old age.
What to do if cucumbers turn yellow in the open field
Each of the problems listed above can be dealt with, you just need to make an effort and, of course, knowledge. Here is what is important when caring for cucumbers. nine0003
1. Compliance with watering norms
Water cucumbers abundantly, because they do not like to be left without water for a long time, but also make sure that the beds do not form a swamp, otherwise your plantings may rot the roots. In a word, water well, but do not flood.
2. Top dressing
For normal growth and development, cucumbers need nitrogen and other nutrients that can be applied to the soil during spring (nitrogen fertilizers) and autumn digging (phosphorus and potash fertilizers).
You can also make manure in the fall. nine0003
3. Planting together
Intersperse cucumbers with strong-smelling plants. For example, you can plant onions, garlic, lavender, sage, cilantro or basil nearby. They will repel pests.
4. Timely treatment of plants with preparations
Treat cucumbers from pests and pathogens. For this, both folk remedies (soap solution, tobacco dust, ammonia, etc.) and chemicals suitable for outdoor cucumbers are suitable, for example, Confidor (from whitefly, aphids, thrips), Fufanon (from ticks, sprout flies, aphids, thrips, whiteflies), Sporobacterin (from powdery mildew) (3) and others. nine0003
5. Compliance with quarantine
If you have already planted cucumbers, and you want to plant some more seedlings nearby, be sure to quarantine them to make sure that the new settlers will not infect their neighbors with anything (5).
Popular questions and answers
Questions about the causes of yellowing of cucumber leaves were answered by agronomist, Ph.
D. Sciences, director of the nursery "Flower of the Urals" Daniil Kostylev.
Why do cucumber leaves turn yellow? nine0353
The likely cause is potassium deficiency. In this case, you need to add potassium monophosphate - 1 tbsp. a spoon for 10 liters of water, one bucket is enough for 1.5 - 2 square meters. m beds.
Uneven yellowing of the edges of the leaves, followed by darkening, may indicate the onset of a fungal disease - Fusarium wilt. If you do not treat (or remove) the affected plants, then the yellowness passes from the edges of the leaves inward, and then to the whole plant.
Why do cucumber fruits turn yellow?
The cucumbers may not be getting enough water, or vice versa, you are pouring them too much - both of which can lead to yellowing of the fruits. nine0003
If you have bee-pollinated (not parthenocarpic) varieties in your greenhouse, then young fruits may turn yellow and deform without pollination - let flying insects into the greenhouse (open the doors and vents).
Why does the tip of a cucumber turn yellow?
Diseases caused by high humidity in the greenhouse may be the cause. Ventilate the greenhouse more often during the day, but only when the air temperature outside is not lower than 18 ° C. The influx of fresh air improves not only the phytosanitary situation, but also supplies the leaves with carbon dioxide, which is necessary for photosynthesis. nine0003
Why do cucumbers turn yellow on the windowsill?
Cucumbers are sun-loving plants. Their leaves need direct sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. Place plants on the windowsills of windows facing west, south, or east, but not north. With a lack of light, cucumbers can be illuminated with phytolamps.
Too much and frequent watering or vice versa, drying out of the soil in the container can also lead to yellowing.
Why do cucumber seedlings turn yellow?
Most often this is a lack of nitrogen - plants need to be fed with nitrogen fertilizer.
