by Cucumbers are not immune to infections at any stage of vegetation, including during fruiting, when not all means can be used for their treatment. But this does not mean that we should allow diseases and pests to ruin the plants. What is the solution?
If you strictly adhere to the frequency of treatments with biological pesticides, then the likelihood of infection in plants is significantly reduced, but, unfortunately, does not disappear completely. Moderately effective folk remedies have an additional effect. However, it is still not worth completely eliminating chemical pesticides from use. But which of the listed can be used when the pretty cucumbers are already ripening and filling out on the vines, the anticipation of harvesting which is overshadowed by a suddenly discovered infection?
What products are used to treat cucumbers?
It is no secret that all means aimed at combating plant diseases and pests (including cucumbers) can be divided into two groups – folk and chemical (scientifically – pesticides). However, the seemingly dangerous concepts of “chemical” and “pesticides” also include preparations of biological origin (created with the help of natural organisms). They are the least dangerous of all pesticides, since they have low toxicity. Other pesticides are divided into organic and inorganic. The former, unlike the latter, do not contain heavy metals (iron, zinc, copper), which are dangerous to humans.
The manufacturer always indicates on the packaging or in the instructions for the product the period of vegetation of the plant in which it is possible to use this or that product and how often this should be done. If necessary, there is also information about how long before harvesting the treatment should be stopped.
Why is not every preparation good for treating cucumbers during fruiting? If we are talking about industrial products, then any of them contains a specific active ingredient and, depending on this, the preparation is assigned a certain hazard class for humans, animals and insects. Each class is designated by a number, and the smaller it is, the higher the danger of the preparation. However, ironically, high-hazard class preparations have a faster effect and duration of action than relatively safe ones. That is why biological pesticides are often recommended for use as a preventive measure against diseases and pests, and all the others, more dangerous ones, for their treatment. A number of preparations are prohibited for use during flowering, since they pose a high danger to bees, and this threatens the loss of the crop for pollinated varieties of cucumbers.
If you have discovered damage to plants by pests or serious signs of disease at the very beginning of fruiting, and the use of biological preparations in combination with folk remedies no longer helps the plantings, try treating them with non-biological products (preferably organic ones), then wait at least three weeks, and rinse the harvested crop well with water several times.
How to treat cucumbers against diseases during the peak of fruiting
Biological fungicide based on natural bacteria Bacillus subtilis strain B-10 VIZR, which works against powdery mildew. Dissolve 10 tablets of the preparation in 10 liters of water – this volume is enough to treat 100 square meters of area. A day after treatment, the fruits are already suitable for food.
Biological preparation based on bacteria Bacillus subtilis strain IPM 215 for combating fungal and bacterial diseases (in cucumbers – with root rot). To use the preparation, dissolve 10 ml in 10 l of water and spray the bushes over an area of 100 sq.m. As in the case of Alirin-B, the fruits can be harvested a day after treatment.
Biological fungicide based on bacteria Bacillus subtilis strain M-22 VIZR for combating gray mold and downy mildew of cucumbers. To use the preparation in open ground, dissolve 10 tablets in 10 liters of water and treat 100 square meters of plantings with this volume (against downy mildew). For use in protected ground, dissolve 10 tablets in 15-20 liters of water and spray cucumber vines over a similar area (against gray mold).
Trichoderma biofungicide with active substance Trichoderma veride strain 471. Will help in the fight against cucumber downy mildew. To do this, dissolve 30 g of the preparation in 10 liters of water and treat the plantings on the leaves. The specified volume is enough to spray 100 sq.m. The waiting period before harvesting the fruits is hours.
Biopreparation based on hay bacillus Bacillus subtilis strain 26D, designed to treat cucumbers against true and false powdery mildew (peronosporosis). To use the fungicide correctly, dissolve 2-3 tsp. (6-10 ml) in 10 l of water and spray 100 sq.m. with this volume. After hours, the fruits can already be eaten.
A two-component (propamocarb and aluminum fosetyl) fungicide, which is an organophosphorus compound. Helps to cope with downy mildew, as well as root and basal rot of cucumber. Dissolve 30 ml of the substance in 20 liters of water and treat the plantings on an area of 100 sq.m. The waiting period is 1 day.
Fngicide with active ingredients propamocarb hydrochloride and fenamidone (both substances are colorless crystals). Effective in combating downy mildew: dilute 20 ml in 5 l of water and spray the composition on plantings over an area of 100 sq.m.
The waiting period from treatment to harvest is at least 14 days. Therefore, if we are talking about July planting of cucumbers and you still have time to spare, then this preparation is quite suitable for treatment.
Folk remedies
A solution of milk and iodine can help against a complex of cucumber diseases. To prepare it, dilute 1 drops of iodine in 30 liter of milk and add 20 g of finely grated laundry soap. Spray the plants with the resulting solution throughout the growing season at intervals of 10 days.
Turmeric has proven to be no less effective. To prepare a working solution, dilute 10 g of turmeric powder and a pinch of ground black pepper in 200 ml of vodka and leave for 2 hours. Then add 5 tbsp of this infusion to liters of water and treat the plantings with this composition.
To combat downy mildew, dissolve 4 g of soda in 1 liter of water, add a little soap and spray the affected plants with the resulting solution.
To protect against downy mildew, pour 50 g of crushed garlic cloves into 1 liter of water. Leave for 9 hours. Strain and add the resulting infusion to liters of water. Spray the cucumber vines.
How to treat cucumbers from pests during the peak of fruiting
Phytoverm – an insectoacaricide of biological origin based on the natural substance Aversectin C. Don’t be afraid of the word “insectoacaricide”: its first part means that the preparation is effective against insects (aphids, thrips), the second – against arachnids (mites). Biological origin in this case indicates that the preparation is produced by soil microorganisms. Fitoverm does not have the ability to penetrate plant membranes (inside the plant, fruit), therefore, it does not accumulate in plants and fruits. They can be eaten (including cucumbers) two days after treatment.
To treat cucumbers against a complex of pests, dissolve 10 ml of the substance (against aphids – 8 ml of the substance) in 10 liters of water and treat 100 sq. m of cucumber plantings with the resulting mixture.
Bithoxybacillin – a preparation based on beneficial bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis, effective in combating spider mites on cucumbers (mainly at an early stage). It is not phytotoxic and does not accumulate in plants and fruits. Its waiting period is 5 days, which allows for treatment shortly before harvesting.
To prepare the mixture, dissolve 8-10 g in 1 liter of water and treat 10 square meters of cucumber plantings with this volume.
Biotlin – an insecticide based on the chemical substance imidacloprid (crystalline powder), effective in combating aphids and whiteflies on cucumbers. Despite its non-biological origin, after application the preparation penetrates mainly into the leaves and practically does not enter the fruits. The recommended waiting time after treatment before harvesting is 5-7 days. It is highly dangerous for bees!
To use the product, dilute 5 ml in 10 l of water and spray this volume over an area of 30-35 sq.m.
Inta-Vir – a preparation based on cypermethrin (a viscous, colorless liquid with crystals and a faint odor), which will help in the fight against whiteflies, aphids and thrips. At the same time, the substance is not phytotoxic and cucumbers can be harvested 4-5 days after treatment. It is highly dangerous for bees and other beneficial insects, as well as for fish!
To prepare the solution, dilute 1 tablet of the substance (against whitefly – 2 tablets) in 10 liters of water and spray the soil under the plants over an area of 50 sq.m.
Folk remedies
A soap solution will help against aphids, spider mites and whiteflies. In 1 liter of water, dilute 4-5 tablespoons of liquid soap and spray the plants with the solution.
An infusion of wood ash is considered very effective against aphids. To make it, you need to dilute 1 glass of wood ash in 5 liters of water and leave for 12 hours, then spray the plantings with the solution.
Infusions of onion and garlic peels also fight spider mites. To do this, pour 200 g of the infusion into 1 liter of water, leave for a day, then treat the plants on the leaves.
Dandelion infusion will help defeat thrips at the very beginning of their appearance. To do this, infuse 1 kg of flowers in 10 liters of water for two days. After that, add 5 cloves of finely chopped garlic to the resulting infusion and leave for a few more hours. Strain and spray the plants affected by thrips.
We have listed the main means and preparations that are acceptable for treating cucumbers at the height of fruiting. However, if you use other methods of combating infections and harmful insects, tell us about it in the comments.
