A greenhouse does not know bad weather and offers all-round protection. Nevertheless, greenhouse cucumbers can also be attacked by diseases and pests. Which typical diseases in the greenhouse are particularly dangerous and how to recognize them early, prevent them and treat them effectively.

Causes of cucumber diseases in the greenhouse

The most common causes of diseases in the greenhouse include maintenance errors or the wrong climate. So it's better to prevent now. Greenhouse cucumbers are protected from diseases by a constant, warm, humid climate in the greenhouse. In practice, this means both during the day and on cooler nights:

  • constant air circulation
  • constant humidity
  • daily opening and nightly closing of the ventilation slots or flaps
  • Ground temperature over 10° degrees

Effective measures in greenhouse cucumber diseases

In addition to an optimal greenhouse climate and the right care for cucumbers, resistant cucumber varieties or grafted cucumbers are the safest protection against typical greenhouse cucumber diseases such as:

  • cucumber wilt
  • Verticillium wilt
  • leaf spot disease
  • Powdery and downy mildew

Infection in wilt and leaf spot occurs through infected moisture droplets or soil particles deposited on leaves and fruit. This can happen due to high humidity or when watering and watering. Leaves and fruits turn yellow and wilt. The infested greenhouse cucumbers must be removed. Powdery mildew, downy mildew and gray mold are also typical fungal diseases in cucumber plants. Effective, preventive measures:

  • airy location without drafts
  • ideal soil conditions and germ-free soil
  • sufficient planting distance
  • no waterlogging
  • resistant varieties such as Fablo or foothill grapes
  • Sprays with skimmed milk and field horsetail tea

In addition, regular doses of nettle, field and horsetail liquid manure are recommended. Or spraying with field and horsetail tea increases the resistance of the cucumber plants. Without chemical measures, infested plants must be removed and the soil completely replaced.

The four most common greenhouse cucumber pests

Despite all-round protection, greenhouse cucumber plants do not remain pest-free. Too much moisture, heavily compacted plants, too little ventilation or incorrect care often promote pest infestation. If you discover these pests under glass, immediate action is required:

  • aphids
  • white fly
  • thrips
  • spider mites

Effective countermeasures for low infestations in the greenhouse: Beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings, parasitic wasps (€22.99) and yellow panels help with aphids, whiteflies and thrips. Spider mites are the favorite food of predatory mites.

tips and tricks

Whether outdoor cucumbers or greenhouse cucumbers - both swallow a lot of irrigation water. Pay attention to the right balance. Because dryness makes the soil susceptible to powdery mildew and soil that is too moist to downy mildew.

Category:

Vegetable garden