Why cucumber ovaries rot: causes of the problem, methods of solving and preventing it
When growing cucumbers, it is not enough to prepare the planting site and water the plants. This crop is often subject to disease and pest attacks. Often the ovaries, and sometimes the fruits themselves, turn yellow and rot. The appearance of infectious agents is provoked by many factors: from a lack of nutrients and too much watering to unfavorable weather conditions.
Causes of rotting ovaries
Why do cucumber ovaries rot? There are many reasons, but the most common is fungal diseases, which appear if the soil and seeds are contaminated. The development of infection is provoked by improper care of plants, non-compliance with watering and air circulation.
Diseases
There are several types of fungal infections, which affect the entire crop in a short period of time.
White rot
Sclerotinia, or white rot, completely destroys the plant. If the seedlings were initially infected, then after a while all the cucumber stems dry out. As a result, the entire crop is destroyed.
At the initial stage of the disease, a white coating appears on the stems; at later stages, dark spots appear.
The development of infection is promoted:
- sudden change in temperature;
- high humidity;
- poor ventilation in the greenhouse;
- bushes grow too quickly.
Brown spot
The main symptom of cladosporiosis - rot at the ends of the fruit.
Spotting initially appears on the embryos, then dark spots completely cover the cucumbers.
If damage is noticed at the initial stage of development, then diseased fruits are separated from the stems, protecting healthy leaves and ovaries from infection.
Important! The disease is common in southern and humid areas.
Apical rot
The main sign of the disease is the formation of a small gray or dark green watery spot. at the top of the fruit.
Main causes of rotting:
- root damage;
- unstable watering;
- lack of calcium;
- excess nitrogen.
Pests
Comfortable conditions in the greenhouse and in the garden bed are good not only for cucumbers, but also for insects that harm them.
Greenhouse whitefly
This insect sucks juice from cucumber leaves., leaves behind a sticky discharge, due to which the plants begin to turn black and then dry out completely.
Against whitefly lay out glue traps, wash cucumber leaves. In greenhouses, nets on windows and entrance doors protect against insects.
melon aphid
Cotton, or melon, aphid appears in the second half of summer. Damages flowers, ovaries and shoots, leading to their wrinkling and curling.
The reason for the proliferation of the pest - weeds, so cucumber plantings are regularly weeded.
Against pest use this solution: 200 g of tobacco dust and 30 g of fresh capsicum are added to 10 liters of hot water and left for a day. Then stir, filter, add 1 tbsp. l. liquid soap and 3 tbsp. l. wood ash. The entire aphid-infested area is sprayed with the product.
Agrotechnical errors
Basic agrotechnical mistakesthat gardeners allow:
- Plants are planted too close.If the cucumbers do not have enough feeding area, they will not be able to feed all the ovaries. On average, 5 bushes require an area of 2 m².
- Excess fertilizer. Most farmers constantly feed their plants with manure so that they grow better, but excessive application of fertilizers with the same composition causes rotting of the crop. So, at the stage of fruit formation, it is useful to add 1 tbsp to the fertilizer. ash and 1 tbsp. l. superphosphate.
- Late harvest. Overripe vegetables retard the growth of other, younger fruits.
Why do different parts of the bushes rot?
The main cause of rot is fungal and bacterial diseases that affect the entire plant, from roots to fruits. Bushes suffer if not observed watering mode and maintaining an incorrect indoor microclimate.
Too high humidity and insufficient sunlight are additional factors for the rotting of cucumbers.
Young seedlings are often affected by blackleg (photo below). Signs of the disease: softening of the root collar, depletion of the stem, wilting of the leaves, rotting of the roots. Reasons: high humidity, insufficient lighting, dense planting, heavy soil.
At fusarium wilt leaves and vines of cucumbers droop, roots rot. To prevent disease, the soil is disinfected before planting and it is not allowed to become waterlogged.
Causes
Depending on the growing conditions of the crop, the causes of rot on cucumbers vary.
In the greenhouse
The main factors that provoke the appearance of rot on cucumbers in a greenhouse:
- unsuitable indoor microclimate;
- insufficient lighting;
- drafts;
- excessive humidity;
- lack of fertilizers.
In the open ground
Plants prefer an open sunny area, protected from cold winds, and light soil.
Causes of rotting cucumbers in the garden:
- improperly prepared soil in autumn and spring;
- the bed is not high enough;
- loosening the soil after plant growth;
- lack of organic matter;
- increased soil moisture.
On the windowsill
Cucumbers on the windowsill are the dream of many. If all the rules of care have been followed, then the first harvest is harvested 1–1.5 months after emergence. The cessation of culture development and the appearance of rot on the ovaries indicate errors in care.
Main factors of damage:
- unsuitable seeds;
- improperly prepared soil: a substrate made of vermicompost and coconut fiber is ideal for cucumbers on the windowsill;
- insufficient or excessive watering;
- lack of light.
What to do
If signs of putrefactive processes appear on cucumbers, reduce irrigation as much as possible and carry out complex treatment.
Processing agents
Special preparations to combat rot:
- “Topaz” - dissolve 1 ampoule in 10 liters of warm water and spray the bushes;
- “Oxychom” - 20 g of the product is added to 10 liters of warm water, the plantings are treated in dry, windless weather.
After harvesting, the soil is watered with a solution of copper sulfate, and all plant residues are burned. For soil and bushes use “HOM”.
Agrotechnical techniques
When rot appears on the ovaries, plants refuse to fertilize with organic fertilizers. Use only minerals in small doses.
Important! Water the cucumbers in the second half of the day, when the water and soil warm up.
If the air temperature drops, the plantings are not moistened.
Preventive measures
One of the most effective preventative techniques is adding peat to the soil before planting seeds.
Useful tips:
- Water the plants only when necessary. Water temperature is within +20…+23°C.
- They constantly monitor the bushes: if rot is noticed in time, crop loss can be avoided.
- 2 weeks before sowing, the soil is disinfected with Trichodermin.
- Each time after removing infected bushes, the greenhouse or greenhouse is disinfected. All windows and doors are washed with soapy water, and the soil is treated with bleach.
- Dill, corn, lettuce, and spinach are planted next to the cucumbers. They stimulate fruit growth.
Tips from experienced gardeners
Rot in cucumbers is a common problem. The most effective method of combating it is timely removal of the affected bushes by the roots.. Gardeners advise constantly monitoring the condition of plants and taking action at the first signs of damage to the ovaries and fruits.
Proper care of crops, constant control of temperature and humidity will prevent rotting.
The optimal air temperature in a greenhouse for cucumbers: in sunny weather - +25...+29°C, in cloudy weather - +20...+22°C, critical - +13°C. When it gets cold and high humidity, plants get sick and die.
Conclusion
Rotting of cucumber ovaries is a common phenomenon that gardeners encounter. If the problem is not dealt with, the entire harvest will be ruined. The main cause of rotting is fungal infections, for which professional and home remedies are used and agrotechnical practices are performed.
Factors contributing to the development of diseases: non-compliance with the watering regime, temperature changes, poor air circulation, pest attacks.