What to do if leaves wither on cucumbers in a greenhouse and in the open field

  • Dec 13, 2020

Many owners of summer cottages are engaged in the cultivation of cucumbers. Caring for this crop is not particularly difficult, but an experienced gardener may also face a number of problems, including the situation when the leaves on cucumbers wither.

Cucumbers are a crop that is subject to extreme temperature changes. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com
Cucumbers are a crop that is subject to extreme temperature changes. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

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Reasons why turgor changes

Cucumbers are a crop that is subject to extreme temperature changes. The minimum daily value for this vegetable is + 15ºC. When the temperature drops below this level, the leaves of the seedlings begin to wither, the likelihood of damage by powdery mildew increases.

When wilting of leaves appears, you should find out if this change is a sign of waterlogging of plants. Excess water impairs oxygen delivery to culture cells. The bushes begin to suffocate, the leaves lose their turgor, and as a result the plant dies.

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With a lack of moisture in the soil, the leaves suffer first. A few hours without water is enough, and the plant will wither.

After watering, everything usually returns to normal. Determining the moisture deficit in the soil is quite simple by checking its condition. If you do not take any action, the plant will begin to get rid of the leaves and die.

The presence of nitrogen in the soil is an important condition for the growth and development of cucumbers. If fertilization is not applied to the soil in time, starvation begins, which leads to the fact that the foliage begins to wither.

If there is an excess of nitrogen in the ground, the foliage takes on a bright green color. Then, after a few days, their condition changes. They wither and curl up into a tube. After about a week, the color of the leaves turns gray-yellow, the fruits grow very small.

When wilting of leaves appears, you should find out if this change is a sign of waterlogging of plants. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

Infection with fungi and pests

There are a lot of natural pests that attack cucumbers. The vast majority of them feed on the juice contained in the leaves. In this case, wilting begins from the bottom of the leaf blade.

Pathogenic fungi, getting on plants, also contribute to the loss of turgor. The list of diseases leading to wilting of green mass include:

  • peronosporosis;
  • fusarium;
  • white and root rot.

Insects, the attack of which leads to a decrease in turgor:

  • melon aphid;
  • thrips;
  • spider and apple mites.

In order to save the plant, it is necessary to process the bushes.

Pathogenic fungi, getting on plants, also contribute to the loss of turgor. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

Plants are too close to each other

Bushes with close planting do not receive nutrients in the required amount. Because of this, the foliage withers. Also, when thickening, the seedlings lack sunshine. Less developed specimens wilt.

When growing crops in greenhouses, the same phenomenon can be observed. However, in milder conditions, the foliage of the bushes withers much less often. The reason for this is the choice of hybrid varieties that are more resistant to environmental changes, diseases and pest attacks. The reason for wilting under these conditions is:

  • violation of the light regime;
  • temperature below + 18ºC;
  • poor feeding, leading to an excess or lack of nutrients;
  • irrigation errors;
  • overheat.

Subject to the rules of crop care, such a problem as leaf wilting does not arise. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the planted variety.

Do you know how to properly care for cucumbers?

Original articleand many other materials, you can find on ourwebsite.

Read about feeding cucumbers in the following article:Maximum yield of cucumbers thanks to top dressing