I have been growing cucumbers for home consumption for over ten years. It was fun until I started getting cucumber leaves turning yellow. The signal was an indication that something was wrong with my plants.
So why are my cucumber leaves turning yellow? Yellow cucumber leaves develop due to improper watering routines, nutrient deficiencies, low light conditions, pests and plant diseases.
Keep reading this article to find out why cucumber plants turn yellow. The information will help you identify the exact causes, hidden symptoms, and ways to revive yellow cucumber leaves.
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Why is my cucumber plant turning yellow? (Causes and Solutions)
Cucumbers are refreshing summer treats packed with vitamins, minerals and hydration. Good conditions ensure that these cucumber plants produce vigorously.
If your cucumber plant is beginning to turn yellow, it’s time to examine its growth status and find the exact cause. Cucumber leaves turn yellow due to the following problems:
Bad watering routines
Water problem is the main cause of yellowing cucumber leaves. Cucumber plants thrive year-round in soil with moderate, consistent moisture levels.
Inconsistent watering habits and overwatering can be problematic for cucumber plants. Yellow cucumber leaves are due to one of these factors.
Overwatering deprives the roots of cucumber plants of oxygen and leads to root rot. Subsequently, the condition prevents the roots from carrying out their physiological activities.
Overwatering occurs due to poor soil drainage. I recommend adding sand to loosen the soil or growing cucumbers in raised garden containers.
Inconsistent watering habits (lack of watering) cause cucumber plants to wilt due to dehydration. The best solution is to soak the soil to hydrate the cucumber plants.
The rule of thumb is to test soil moisture levels before watering cucumber plants. Dig your index finger into 2 to 3 inches of topsoil; Soak the floor when completely dry.
Pest infestations on leaves
Insect infestation is inevitable when growing cucumbers. The cucumber’s juicy leaves make the plant attractive to pests such as whitefly, spider mite, potato locust and gutted beetle.
These sap-sucking creatures nibble on soft, delicate leaves to shock plants. Tissue destruction is the reason behind yellow leaves on cucumbers.
Aphids tend to stick to the underside of leaves. These tiny insects suck sap from leaves and leave behind a sticky substance that causes mold or blight.
Mites suck juice from cucumber leaves and cause yellow dots. Examine the undersides of the leaves for a sign of thin, silvery tissue behind them.
Potato locusts love to cling to cucumber leaves and inject toxins. The poison causes the leaves of cucumber plants to turn yellow. The damaged yellow leaves of the cucumber then fall from the plant.
The whiteflies move in small groups on the leaves of the cucumber plant. These little flies suck the juice and leave honeydew on the cucumber plant.
Examine cucumber leaves to identify the exact pest behind the yellowing problem. Use insecticidal soap to kill these insects.
Diseases of cucumber plants
Cucumber plants are more susceptible to disease. Bacterial and fungal conditions cause the leaves to turn yellow and dry.
Mosaic virus is the main plant disease affecting cucumbers. These viruses thrive in moist soil and continue to infect the plant throughout the year. Causes yellow spots on cucumber leaves.
Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that causes one side of a cucumber leaf to turn yellow. Mushrooms can live in the ground for more than ten years.
Downy mildew is the most destructive leaf disease. Yellow spots on cucumber leaves and gray mold underneath are signs of late blight on cucumbers.
Fusarium wilt is a soil disease that causes cucumber leaves to turn yellow. The virus is more common on older cucumber plants and leaves.
Take the time to examine your cucumbers to identify the exact disease. Use fungicides to treat the condition and revive your cucumber plants.
Nutrient deficiencies in the soil.
Cucumber plants thrive in nutrient-rich soil. Nutrients are essential for vegetative growth and fruiting. It also keeps the plant healthy and happy.
The rule of thumb is to test the soil to find out which nutrients are lacking. Research shows that insufficient soil nutrition is the cause of yellow cucumber leaves.
Nitrogen deficiency is the main cause of yellowing cucumbers. Nitrogen helps leaves stay healthy and promotes better plant growth.
Potassium deficiency is another cause of yellowing cucumber leaves. Cucumber leaves begin to turn yellow around the edges and tips. Use a balanced fertilizer to solve the problem.
A lack of iron in the soil causes the leaves of the cucumber plant to turn yellow. But these yellow cucumber leaves retain their green veins.
Use an ammonium nitrate fertilizer to correct the nitrogen deficiency in the soil. Also sprinkle granulated iron around the roots to solve the iron deficiency problem.
sunshine problem
My cucumber leaves are turning yellow from low light. Yellow cucumber leaves are found on both indoor and outdoor plants.
Cucumbers need six to eight hours of natural light per day. I recommend using LED lighting (check Amazon for the best deals) when growing room cucumbers.
How do you fix yellow cucumber leaves?
Growing and caring for cucumber plants is relatively easy. But some things are unavoidable, like pests and diseases. These problems usually lead to low yields and even complete crop damage.
Here are some possible tips to keep in mind when placing yellow cucumber leaves:
Remove affected leaves
Yellow leaves on cucumber occur for various reasons such as nutrient deficiencies, pests and diseases. Dealing with these issues is relatively simple and straightforward.
It is advisable to immediately cut off the affected leaves. This will help inhibit the spread of disease if this is the possible cause of the problem.
Apply nutrient-rich compost
Nutrient deficiencies usually cause the leaves of cucumbers to turn yellow. Keep in mind that the cucumber plant is a big eater.
Therefore, consider applying fertilizers rich in potassium, nitrogen, iron, and calcium to your garden soil. These nutrients are quite essential during the different growth stages of cucumber plants.
well-drained soil
Soggy soil tends to leach nutrients deep into the soil. In addition, excess water in the soil deprives the roots of oxygen and this causes the leaves to turn yellow.
It is advisable to mix your poorly drained garden soil with sand. This will help facilitate proper aeration and drainage to prevent them from becoming soggy.
spray pesticides
Diseases and pests are the main cause of yellow cucumber leaves. Therefore, consider using reputable insecticides to help eliminate the pests causing the problem.
maximum exposure to light
Cucumbers are green plants. This is an indication that they make their food in the presence of sunlight. Keeping the crop in the shade can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Make sure your garden gets enough natural light. Those growing cucumbers in containers should take the plant outside for about six hours to get plenty of natural light.
Ultimately
Chlorosis is indeed a major problem for growing cucumbers. Chlorophyll is a green pigment in leaves that captures sunlight to improve plant food production.
Lack of chlorophyll in green plants causes starvation. The yellow leaves of the cucumber indicate this. If the problem persists without a remedy, the cucumber plant will eventually die.
So if you notice yellow leaves on garden and potted cucumber plants, consider following the guidelines above for help.
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