Why your cucumber leaves are whitening

The ripened vegetable marrows, zucchini and bush pumpkins are prepared as ingredients for preparation of healthy food

The most common problem of growing cucumbers is dealing with white leaves on the vines. Most farmers have been asking, ‘why are my cucumber leaves turning white’?. This article will explain why the leaves turn white and how to fix the problem

Leaves turning white after transplanting are a result of transplant shock. Plants go through a period of stress when transplanted to the field due to environmental conditions. However, whitening of mature plants could indicate an infestation of powdery mildew. The white coat covers the entire surface of the cucumber plant. The disease is caused by poor air circulation in the field or a lack of sunlight. The attack starts with older leaves before spreading to the young leaves. The spots appear as grayish-white patches, which enlarge and merge to form large colonies.

If left untreated, it can cause stunted growth and twisted, distorted leaves. Eventually, the plant will die. While this disease doesn’t usually kill plants, it can make them more susceptible to other diseases and even death if left untreated. The disease is also common in zucchini, pumpkins, and other members of the Cucurbitaceae family.

Powdery mildew is difficult to control; therefore, you need to ensure that the disease does not attack your plants. The disease is spread by the spores carried by wind and can infect plants quickly if conditions are right. This explains why the disease is hard to control. Also, the disease often attacks under the leaves and is not noticed until it’s too late.

The first step in controlling the disease is to ensure your cucumber plants are getting enough sunlight, at least 6 hours per day. Remove any dead plants and debris from your cucumber patch to reduce the spread of spores. To prevent powdery mildew on cucumber plants, apply a homemade fungicide.

Spray your cucumber leaves with this mixture weekly during warm weather, preferably when temperatures are above 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray both sides of your plant’s leaves thoroughly but avoid getting any solution on the fruit itself, as this may cause it to rot prematurely.

A pest infestation can also be a probable cause for the whitening of cucumber leaves. One such pest is the leafhopper. Leafhoppers can be distinguished from other insects by their wedge-shaped body, small size, and habit of jumping when disturbed. They suck plant juices from leaves and stems. Leaves turn yellow and curl upward. There are many organic pest control techniques that you can use to protect your cucumber plant. A spray made from garlic extract and water might help in severe infestations.

Excessive moisture can also make cucumber leaves turn white. When there is too much water in the ground, the nutrients quickly leach out, making it difficult for leaves to maintain their standard color. The leaching of nutrients often turns green leaves white or pale yellow. To correct the lack of nutrients in the soil, you need first to improve the soil and/or reduce watering to ensure nutrients do not leach quickly. And then, you need to apply a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to correct the situation.

Sometimes, a lack of space or improper culture control can result in white spots. Cucumbers are sensitive plants, and if you don’t take proper care of them, white spots could appear on the leaves. They prefer well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7. They need heat to develop properly and space each plant at least 30 cm apart to allow plenty of room to spread their roots. Water the soil around each plant regularly but avoid getting water on the leaves because it can cause fungus problems.

Accidental blanching can cause cucumber leaves to turn white. It occurs when you cover the cucumbers with heavy foliage. When you accidentally position your cucumbers so that some of the leaves or the cucumbers themselves do not receive enough sunlight, they will turn pale/white with time. The foliage of your cucumbers and/or neighboring plants can also block sunlight from reaching your cucumber leaves, resulting in pale/white leaves. To undo blanching, you should make sure light hits all the leaves on your cucumbers. You can do this by moving your cucumbers, trimming them, or trimming neighboring plants or trees.

There are a lot of possible reasons for the whitening of cucumber leaves. So finding out the real cause is crucial for the plant’s survival.