Q&A - My Cucumber Is Dying
Question:
I have a cucumber problem. In each of the last two growing seasons, the plants got the same blight mid-season. The leaves started shriveling. The fruit stopped growing, got spongy to the touch, and turned a sour sort of pale yellowish-green. I could see tiny bore holes in the fruit. Never saw an insect larva or worm. What can I do to keep this from happening this year?
Answer:
There are likely several problems occurring at the same time on the cucumbers. First holes in the cucumbers are caused by the pickleworm. The wilting and dying plant is likely caused by either bacterial or fungal wilt. The worms can be controlled by applying Bifenthrin. Unfortunately, the control of the wilt is more difficult and is not possible after the plant is infected. Good cultural practices of removing dead plants from the previous growing season and planting resistant varieties may help.
Related Resources:
Cucumber, Squash, Melon & Other Cucurbit Diseases
Bacterial Wilt of Cucurbits
Featured Creatures: Pickleworm
I have a cucumber problem. In each of the last two growing seasons, the plants got the same blight mid-season. The leaves started shriveling. The fruit stopped growing, got spongy to the touch, and turned a sour sort of pale yellowish-green. I could see tiny bore holes in the fruit. Never saw an insect larva or worm. What can I do to keep this from happening this year?
Answer:
There are likely several problems occurring at the same time on the cucumbers. First holes in the cucumbers are caused by the pickleworm. The wilting and dying plant is likely caused by either bacterial or fungal wilt. The worms can be controlled by applying Bifenthrin. Unfortunately, the control of the wilt is more difficult and is not possible after the plant is infected. Good cultural practices of removing dead plants from the previous growing season and planting resistant varieties may help.
Related Resources:
Cucumber, Squash, Melon & Other Cucurbit Diseases
Bacterial Wilt of Cucurbits
Featured Creatures: Pickleworm