Almost every summer resident and gardener at least once came across the fact that cucumber leaves begin to turn yellow, dry, wither, or some spots appear on them. There are many reasons for this common problem. To save the cucumber crop, it is imperative to find out the specific reason and solve it so that this problem does not recur next year.
Why cucumber leaves turn yellow: 6 reasons
Insufficient lighting
If the lowest leaves inside dense cucumber thickets began to turn yellow, then the reason is only one thing - not enough light. The cucumber seedlings were planted very close to each other. Over time, the tops have grown so that sunlight cannot penetrate to each leaf, and even more so to the lowest ones. So they turn yellow.
Such yellowed leaves will not bring any harm to the cucumber culture. This also does not affect the harvest. Inspect the beds occasionally and remove any yellow or dry leaves.
Improper watering
Cucumbers are a moisture-loving culture. But an excess of moisture affects them as badly as drought. In temperate climates during the summer, cucumber bushes should be watered at least three times a week. In dry and hot weather, watering should be done daily.
The volume of water during irrigation should be such that the earth is soaked deeply, to the very cucumber roots. If they lack moisture, they will begin to look for it on the surface of the soil and dry out. This will lead to yellowing of the leaves and ovary.
Yellow leaves can also appear after prolonged rainy weather. Excessive moisture can cause rotting of the roots and stems and, as a result, yellowness appears on the leaves.
Fungal diseases
Yellowing of the leaves is caused by such common diseases as pityosis and fusarium. The fungal disease first leaves spots on the tops that resemble rust, then dry spots on the leaves. All the leaves dry up and fall very quickly, and the whole plant becomes lethargic and lifeless.
Most often, fungal diseases appear after sudden changes in temperature. For example, the daytime air temperature exceeded the thirty-degree mark, and the nighttime dropped to 12-15 degrees. Or the summer heat was suddenly replaced by a prolonged cold rain.
Pests
They love to feast on the juice of cucumber leaves. spider mite and whitefly. After their appearance, all the leaves on the cucumbers turn yellow and dry out.
There is only one way to combat this cause - by destroying pests. As a solution for spraying, both a folk remedy and a special chemical preparation are suitable.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Very rarely, the leaves on cucumbers turn yellow due to a lack of any nutrients. In such cases, feeding will come to the rescue. The main thing is to figure out which elements the plant lacks. This can be determined by the state of the leaves:
- Magnesium and potassium are necessary if only the edges of the foliage dry out.
- Manganese and iron - if dark green streaks remain on yellow leaves.
- Copper - if only the upper leaves turn yellow.
Age
Yellow leaves appear at the end of the cucumber season, when most of the harvest is harvested and the plant begins to age and coarse foliage.
What to do if cucumber leaves turn yellow: a solution to the problem
A variety of preventive measures are considered the most effective treatment. So that problems do not appear on cucumber beds, it is necessary:
Observe the rules of crop rotation
Every year you need to choose a new bed for cucumbers. Since pumpkin and zucchini have the same fungal diseases, you should not plant cucumbers after these crops - the possibility of getting sick increases significantly.
Observe the rules of watering
Cucumbers are very fond of regular and generous watering. If it is not possible to water the beds in a timely manner, then mulching of the soil will come to the rescue, which will preserve moisture in the soil for a long time. Use any herb (even weeds) as mulch. The mulch layer will not only protect against drought, but also provide additional warmth and nutrients.
Use top dressing
Wood ash is an excellent prophylactic against pests and diseases, as well as a source of potassium. It is poured directly into the hole of the vegetable plant. And as a liquid organic fertilizer, it is better to use herbal infusion. Mineral dressings can be used if desired.
Carry out preventive spraying and watering
Recipe 1. These water procedures must be started at the initial stage of plant development, when the first four leaves have appeared on the young seedlings. And then repeat it three times a month. For a large ten-liter bucket of water, add 1 liter of milk, 30 drops of iodine and 20 grams of regular laundry soap. Use for spraying.
Recipe 2. In a ten-liter bucket of water, leave a loaf of bread to soak overnight. After about 10-12 hours, the bread will be easily kneaded. Add a small bubble of iodine to this mixture. Spraying can be carried out 2 times a month during the entire summer season.
Recipe 3. To prevent the appearance of fungal diseases, use a soda solution for watering - add 1 tablespoon of soda to a large bucket of water. Watering with this solution is carried out at the beginning of summer.
Recipe 4. Universal solution suitable for watering and spraying:
With 10 liters of water, you need to pour about 100 grams of onion husks, boil and leave to infuse overnight under a closed lid. The strained broth must be diluted with water before use: 400 grams of water are added to 100 grams of solution. This solution will scare away harmful insects.
Recipe 5. A solution for better formation of the ovary and from yellowing leaves: mix 2 liters of kefir or whey with 10 liters of water and an incomplete glass of granulated sugar. Use for spraying.
Recipe 6. Pour the hay with warm water (in equal parts) and leave for 2 days to infuse. Use for spraying no more than 3 times a month. The infusion prolongs the fruiting period for the plant.
