Cucumbers are one of my favorite things to grow in the summer, but they don't come without risks. Like most other veggies, cucumbers are susceptible to various fungal and bacterial diseases. Unfortunately, unlike some of the more resilient plants, cucumber diseases can often take out your whole cucumber plant. A bit of extra TLC can go a long way for your cukes!
LEAF BLIGHT. If you see small yellow-brown spots on your cucumber leaves that eventually turn to larger brown lesions and eventually decaying leaves, there's a chance you have leaf blight. This is a fungal disease that usually occurs when the plant doesn't have enough air circulation, and is especially common in areas of high humidity or rainfall.
To help prevent against leaf blight:
✔️ water from the base of the plant, being careful to avoid excess moisture in the dense leaves.
✔️ rotate cucurbits (cucumber, squash, pumpkin, watermelons) with another crop every 2 years to reduce spores in the soil.
✔️ remove dead leaves and other crop debris as soon as possible and dispose of it away from your plant.
FLEA BEETLES. Chances are you notice these insects in addition to the symptoms you see on your plant. Flea beetles are small, dark jumping beetles. Adult cucumber plants with flea beetles are typically able to survive and produce fruit, but in some cases, the damage done by the flea beetle can kill the cucumber plant all together. This is usually the case with more serious infestations and/or young plants.
To help prevent against flea beetles:
✔️ small plants can be covered with a shade cloth in the early stages, but it will need to be removed when the
plant blossoms.
✔️ companion plant cucumbers with onions and marigolds to prevent flea beetles.
✔️ Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a non-toxic, pet- and child- safe option to repel flea beetles. It works by drying
out the exoskeleton of insects like beetles, causing them to die.
ANGULAR LEAF SPOT. Symptoms of this bacterial disease include water-soaked patches on leaves that expand as the disease progresses. You may notice white crusty patches, which will dry out and create holes in the leaves.
To help prevent against angular leaf spot:
✔️ This can often be spread through diseased seed. Be sure to use disease-free seed and buy from a reputable
seed company.
✔️Practice good hygiene around your farm/garden. Dispose of crop debris immediately, and don't let debris
overwinter in or near areas you intend to grow cucurbits in.
✔️ The use of natural copper spray can slow the spread of disease early on.
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