Probably no owner of the ancillary site can imagine the summer season without a strong cucumber crunching his teeth.
But it is very disappointing when cucumber seedlings die, not allowing not only to harvest, but even to grow a crop.
Why this happens, try to figure it out.
Signs of seedling disease
The most characteristic signs of cucumber seedling disease are the following phenomena:
- Appearance of yellowness on the veins of grown true leaves;
- Thinning and watering of the stem under cotyledon leaves;
- Leaf curl;
- Stunting for no apparent reason;
- Drying leaves with the transition of defeat to the stems.
Diseases of cucumber seedlings, leaf photo:
Yellow leaf streaks
The appearance of yellowness on the streaks of the leaves is associated with infection of the plant, virus carrier is the whitefly tobacco. The adult individual of the whitefly after 30-35 minutes of feeding on an infected plant becomes a peddler of the virus.
The causative agent of the virus is most often preserved in the pumpkin family. With subsequent feeding of the pest, the infection is transmitted to healthy plants.
Without the appearance of external symptoms, varieties are ill, as well as cucumber hybrids pollinated by bees. But Parthenocarpic (self-pollinated) varieties are most severely affected.. Manifested in the form of a sharp decline in yield, shortens the period of active fruiting. Damage to the virus can lead to plant death.
Virus protection
Actionable measures there is no protection. Prevention of infection is the cultivation of resistant to infection hybrids. For example, Ghazal F1, Rhythm F1.
Stalk thinning
On examination, you found the dead seedlings. View the plant in more detail. If you find stalk thinning in the form of stem stumps, this is a fungal infection - cucumber root rotcaused most often by violation of growing conditions most favorable for seedlings. Why does cucumber seedlings fall:
- Frequent excess feedings mineral fertilizers or mullein;
- Sharp changes in daily temperature;
- Abundant watering or watering with cold water.
These reasons cause wateriness and thinning of the stem of the seedling under the cotyledon leaves, followed by lodging of the seedlings. The culprit of the fungus is the causative agent of root rot of cucumbers.
Is cucumber seedlings falling? What to do?
Do not plant in one place every year.. The fungus can be stored in the soil. Change the ground or carry out soil treatment before planting by watering with a pink solution of potassium permanganate heated to a temperature of 65-70 degrees.
The measure of the struggle is reduction in irrigationespecially in the period of sudden changes in daily temperatures. Limit the amount of fertilizer applied. Water the seedlings with warm water in the evening.
Leaf curl
For example, wilt with leaf curling may occur for a fairly simple reason, namely lack of moisture for normal development. When a plant grows, its leaves begin to evaporate more moisture from their surface than they receive it from the roots.
In this case, leaf curling will be an elementary protection. The plant tries to reduce the leaf area with which evaporation occurs. A simple increase in the volume of water for irrigation will relieve your seedlings from this ailment..
On examination, you find a moderately moist soil, but at the same time twisted leaves of plants. So a seedling can respond to soil deficiency of trace elements. First of all, it is phosphorus, sulfur, magnesium. To eliminate the cause, irrigation combined with fertilizing with mineral fertilizer containing a set of micronutrients necessary for the development will be sufficient.
In the case of withering and if the cucumber seedlings are curled leaves after transferring plants to the ridge can be foliar application.
Compositions for such dressings can be purchased at specialized horticultural centers, or you can cook it yourself.
It is enough to dissolve 150 grams of urea in a bucket of water. Spray the leaves of the plant with the prepared solution. This feeding contributes to a more rapid absorption of essential trace elements through the leaves of transplanted seedlings.
Development lag for no apparent reason
These symptoms most often occur. due to the dying off of the seedling root, although signs of damage can be seen at any stage of plant development. The most likely reason for watering with cold water or the rapid cooling of the box with watered seedlings.
Seedlings are lagging behind in growth and development, seedlings are not growing. Further death of the plant is observed.
There is no preventive measure for this disease. Rescue only seed re-seedlings, if you have not missed the time of planting. Read more about seed preparation before sowing.
Why does cucumber seedlings fade?
Many, especially novice gardeners, are wondering why cucumber seedlings turn yellow and dry with full adherence to agricultural cultivation. The most common cause is attack on plant pests.
These include spider mites, as well as melon aphid. Both parasites damage the leaves, sucking the juices necessary for the development of the plant. And this leads to the appearance of yellow spots and drying leaves.
Gourd Aphid
Determine the damage to plants can be visually, according to the changed color and shape of the seedlings leaves. Appearance on the leaves is noticeable "honeydew"- this is a pest excretion. This excretion is an excellent breeding ground for fungi.
It is necessary to inspect the seedlings for pest identification. If aphids occur, then help treatment with drugs Decis or Inta-vir in strict compliance with the instructions on the packaging of the insecticide. Read more on fighting aphids.
Spider mite
The pest specimens are so small that during the inspection to determine the defeat of the tick. It is determined when the leaves show signs of wilting. With a strong degree of damage, spots of a whitish hue are visible, on the surface of which a patina of web is visible.
Preventive measures
In order to prevent damage to seedlings by pests, the following measures should be taken:
- Free planting seedsin which contact between the leaves is excluded;
- Maintaining daily temperature regime - day 22-24, night 16-18 degrees Celsius;
- Watering at room temperature.
Carefully select cucumber resistant varieties.
Also comply with the norms of agrotechnical and pest damage prevention.
All these measures and proper care will allow you to grow healthy seedlings, which will be the key to your harvest.
If, nevertheless, your plants are sick, then in the article we described how to treat cucumber seedlings for diseases?
Useful materials
Check out other helpful cucumber seedlings articles:
- How to grow on the windowsill, balcony and even in the basement?
- Tips for growing in various containers, particularly in peat pots and pills.
- Find out the planting dates depending on the region.
- The reasons why seedlings are pulled?
