The noxious aphid that appears on cucumbers spreads quickly. I try to start the treatment as soon as I notice these small pests, but spraying can be ineffective, as insects tend to hide on the wrong side of the leaf plates. I take this feature into account.
Pest signs
One of the reasons for the appearance of aphids is the transfer of their larvae by ants, which use the sweet dew secreted by pests for nutrition. A favorable environment for the rapid reproduction of dangerous aphids is too dense plantings, excessive development of weeds, insufficient ventilation of greenhouses, excessive concentration in the soil nitrogen.
A small number of small insects merging with the green background of the leaves are difficult to spot. The emergence of large colonies is evidenced by the following negative changes:
- retardation of plant growth;
- later bud formation;
- wilting, twisting and subsequent drying of the leaves;
- the formation of honeydew droplets on the surface of the leaf plates;
- mass loss of the ovary.
Many ants appear near the cucumber plantings. Aphid-borne cucumber mosaic virus may develop.
Control measures
I use a variety of methods to help get rid of the harmful aphids that have appeared on cucumbers. If I notice a small number of insects, then I collect them by hand and destroy them. Folk remedies show a good result at the first symptoms. They are harmless to plants. I use insecticides if large populations of the pest are noticed.
Chemical options
To quickly get rid of aphids, I use special insecticides that have a paralytic effect before the stage of active flowering and the formation of ovaries:
- Inta-vir. The solution requires 1 tablet / 10 l. The maximum duration of pest control is 15 days.
- Aktara. 250 ml / 10 l. The detrimental effect is observed 30 minutes after treatment. When spraying, protection lasts 24 days, after watering - about 2 months. I use it once.
- "Decis". Dosage - 0.35 g / 5 l of settled water. This volume is sufficient for spraying on an area of 100 m2.
- "Confidor". 1g / 10 l. This solution is sufficient for irrigation of 100 m2.
I also use Tanrek (1.5 ml / 5 l). Consumption rate - 10 l / 100 m2.
Traditional methods
The infusions I use predominantly allow you to scare off a harmful pest. Before irrigation, I filter the prepared compositions.
Effective recipes:
- I put the dried crushed marigold inflorescences (1.5 kg) in a tank with 10 liters of water. Leave it covered for 48 hours. After straining, I stir 50 g of powdered soap in the infusion (I use tar, as well as household varieties).
- Chopped fresh juicy herb of yarrow (1 kg) is steamed with hot water (5 l). After 2 hours of aging, I add more settled liquid (10 l).
- I keep dry ground celandine (0.5 kg) in 10 liters of slightly warmed water for 48 hours.
- I transfer the dried mustard seeds (20 g) to the jar. I pour in warm water (2 l). After 48 hours, I supplement the infusion with another 2 liters of filtered liquid.
- Grind fresh dandelion rhizomes (1/2 kg). I insist raw materials in 5 liters of cool water for 2 hours.
- Finely chop 2 hot pepper pods. I can withstand 10 liters of water for a day. After straining, I add laundry powder soap (50 g), sifted ash (150 g) and iodine (5-7 drops).
- I cut fresh garlic arrows (400 g) into small fragments, which I stand for 5-6 days in 2 liters of heated water. I add another 8 liters of water to the finished infusion.
- Pour dry onion husks (200 g) with heated water (5 l). I leave it for 12 hours. I add liquid soap (20 ml) to the infusion.
- I brew 500 mg of tobacco dust with boiling water (10 l). I leave it for 48 hours, after which I add soap shavings (50 g) to the infusion with vigorous stirring.
- I dilute baking soda (150 g) without sediment in heated water (5 l). Immediately before spraying, I add lavender essential oil (20 drops) to the infusion.
- Add ammonia (60 ml) and liquid soap (50 ml) to a 10-liter container with water.
- I take table (9%) vinegar (200 ml). I breed it in 10 liters of settled water. With vigorous stirring, add powdered soap (50 g).
During the growing season, biological preparations that are safe for plants help well against aphids. I use such varieties as "Bitoxibacillin", "Aquarin", "Aktofit", "Fitoverm", "Entobacterin", "Strela".
To prevent the appearance of a harmful aphid, I carry out weeding in a timely manner, use means of fighting ants, disinfect the soil before planting with a solution of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate. Be sure to thin out the planting and systematically perform the necessary fertilizing to strengthen the immunity of plants.
Read also: How to say goodbye to ants in the garden
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