Cucumber is a widely cultivated annual trailing or climbing herbaceous plant of the Cucurbitaceae family, which is perfect for balcony vegetable gardens! During the growth process, it is very easy for diseases and insect pests such as aphids and root nematodes to appear. Below, the editor of the production department will introduce the symptoms and control methods of diseases and insect pests during cucumber planting.
Basic information about cucumber
| Chinese name | Cucumber |
|---|---|
| Difficulty in cultivation | Simple |
| Growth cycle | About 60 days |
| Main diseases | Downy mildew, powdery mildew, brown spot, anthracnose Disease, gray mold |
| Main pest | Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites |
For planting enthusiasts who want to grow cucumbers on the balcony, here are the key points of protecting cucumbers from diseases.
Types of diseases that affect cucumber growth
Many diseases of cucumbers have symptoms. If you pay attention during the planting process, it can be said that diseases are easily prevented.
Be aware of high temperatures and humidity, and it is important to fertilize regularly by improving ventilation/drainage.
Downy mildew
Downy mildew is a disease in which leaves turn brown along the veins and gradually turn light brown or off-white. When the leaves are dry, they become very brittle, and when the leaves are wet, they become slimy. The attached lesions can be connected to each other until the disease spreads over the entire leaf.
Downy mildew loves humidity and it will occur at temperatures between 15 and 20°C. It is caused by pathogens contained in the soil and is spread by wind and rain. Symptoms occur on the lower leaves and are characterized by a gradual spread up the leaves.
Powdery mildew
Spots form on leaves, grow like white mold and eventually die. Powdery mildew is prone to occur in environments with high temperature and low humidity (many from April to October), and is likely to occur when the temperature is around 17 to 25°C. Midsummer and midwinter rarely happen.
Brown spot disease
Small, brown spots will appear somewhere before symptoms begin. Spread out in concentric circles, causing spots to appear on black leaves, and then causing defoliation. Brown spot is more likely to occur in hot and humid environments, such as continued rain or poor ventilation.
Anthrax
Anthracnose occurs not only on leaves and branches, but also in cucumber fruits.
The small dark brown spots spread concentrically, and the inside of the spots turns into large off-white gray lesions. As symptoms progress, a hole will form in the center of the affected area. Black, soot-like spots will spread and cause rot and fruit drop.
Botrytis cinerea
Botrytis cinerea is a disease that occurs in flowers, young fruits, leaves and curls. If it occurs on the leaves, it turns into brown round lesions and gray mold. The disease is more likely to occur when the temperature and humidity are around 20°C, or when there is a sudden chill.
Measures against disease
Downy mildew measures
To prevent downy mildew, try to avoid exposure to rain and improve ventilation and exhaustwater and avoid excessive moisture. This is also an aspect of eliminating fertilizer runoff.
In the early stages of development, pay attention to observation, and if symptoms spread, use medication to control it as soon as possible.
Measures to prevent powdery mildew
Treatment of powdery mildew is not difficult and using a preventative spray made from commercial vinegar is effective.
When symptoms are mild, infected leaves are torn and the status can be seen. If symptoms spread, spray dilute vinegar with water, baking soda, etc. on the affected area every 1 week. If the symptoms do not disappear, it is necessary to use drug control, otherwise the leaves will die.
Countermeasures against brown spot, anthracnose and gray mold
Improving sunlight and ventilation is important. Fertilize scientifically, carry out formula fertilization, and apply more organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers should be fully decomposed before application. Topdressing of chemical fertilizers should be appropriate and even, and fertilizers with residual by-products such as ammonium sulfate should be applied as little as possible to reduce the concentration of soil solutions.
Prevention is important for disease
Once a strain becomes sick, it may become a source of infection for other strains, so prevent this disease at all costs.
Diseased leaves should be removed in the early stages and controlled as soon as symptoms are detected. Regular administration of fertilizers and preventive nutrients is also important.
The above is the prevention and control of cucumber diseases and insect pests introduced by the editor of the production department. You must be careful especially in the rainy season to protect cucumbers from diseases. Once pests and diseases occur, they must be eliminated in time. If you want to know more about planting potted cucumbers in the balcony vegetable garden Tips, please continue to browse other content on this website!
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