The black leg of cucumbers: what to do and how to save, photo control measures

With the beginning of the summer season, professional and amateur vegetable growers are faced with such a problem as the black leg of cucumber seedlings. It becomes very embarrassing. The sprouts that have been cultivated with such love suddenly begin to disappear one by one. The downside is that the disease spreads very quickly, and the plant can no longer be saved.

What is the disease

It is very easy to recognize a black leg on cucumbers. The roots of seedlings ready for planting begin to turn yellow. At this time, cotyledon leaves just appear.

The root neck of the seedlings changes its color, acquiring a brown tint. Then a constriction forms on the neck. The color of the lower part of the stem changes to dark green and becomes wet. The root darkens over time and becomes rotten. The lower leaves gradually turn yellow and wither.

How infection occurs

The causative agent of the disease is a fungus that can parasitize not only on the plant itself, but also exists without problems both in the soil and on plant debris. If the soil is not changed and cucumbers are planted in the same container all the time, fungi accumulate.

Blackleg can be carried in peat, manure and materials intended for sowing and planting seedlings.

Spread of fungus

Blackleg spreads very quickly on an infected plant. The following factors contribute to accelerating the spread:

• changing soil temperature with weather changes;
• cold water used to water seedlings;
• decrease in ambient air temperature.

A person does not always take into account such nuances: after all, it’s easier than ever to monitor the temperature regime in order to get good seedlings and a bountiful harvest as a result.

Fight against fungus

How to deal with the disease so that it leaves the summer cottage forever? It is best to prevent the development of the disease in seedlings. In order for the plant to be he althy and strong, a prerequisite is the observance of preventive measures. Often the buyer does not pay attention to the quality of seeds and the level of resistance to many factors, thereby making a huge mistake.

To get strong seedlings and protect them from the black leg, you must follow all the rules of sowing and growing.Sow cucumbers not earlier than the specified date. Even if the containers are placed on the windowsill, this does not guarantee that the sprouts will be strong and he althy. In early spring, the window sill is a rather cool and dark place for cucumbers. Lack of lighting can cause a decrease in immunity.

Measures against black leg - peat pots or tablets. It has been proven that the seedlings grown in them are much less susceptible to rot. The sprouts can be easily dived by transplanting them with a peat ball.

Soil and seed requirements

Don't plant seeds in uncultivated soil. First it needs to be etched. A simple procedure will destroy various bacteria and microorganisms of rot, mold and fungus. The soil is watered with boiling water with the addition of potassium permanganate. After a simple procedure, the soil is allowed to rest for two days. During this period, the land will be prepared for planting the seed. It is strictly forbidden to immediately plant seeds in freshly cultivated soil: they can “burn out” without giving sprouts.

A frequent occurrence after sowing is the appearance of rot on the surface of the soil. To prevent the soil from becoming moldy with each watering, it is recommended to sprinkle the top layer with river sand or ash. The same rule applies to diving. By observing this condition, the top layer of soil will always remain dry and clean.

Most often, the black leg affects seedlings, the seeds of which were bought from the hands, in the market. To avoid this, it is recommended to purchase cucumbers exclusively in a specialized store. But if this is not possible, you can do the following. Place the seeds purchased on the market before planting in a solution of potassium permanganate and leave for 35 - 40 minutes.

It is possible to process seed by other means. Prepare the purchased drug according to the instructions. They can process the roots of cucumber seedlings before planting in the soil. In some cases, it is simply poured into the ground.

Helpful tips

To save seedlings of cucumbers from a black leg, do not forget about simple nuances:

1. Sow seeds in slightly moist soil.
2. Disinfect the soil before planting.
3. Stay watering moderately.
4. Respect planting density.

At the initial signs of blackleg infection, action must be taken. First of all, remove diseased plants, stop watering, and cover the soil with ashes.

Important

Black leg is a fungus that lives in any soil. Begins development only after the onset of favorable conditions for this.

To get rid of the fungus, first of all it is recommended to pay attention to the ambient humidity and temperature. These figures should not be high.

The disease is quickly transmitted from one plant to another with insufficient ventilation. Usually the sprouts are very densely planted to each other. Pots with soil for the winter are best taken outside. The soil will freeze, and at the same time it will be disinfected.

At the first sign of a fungus, it is recommended to immediately get rid of infected sprouts. There is no way they can be saved, as the plants are very weak.

Seedlings should be carefully examined to exclude the possibility of re-infection. You can not notice the beginning signs of the disease and leave the plant, exposing all the seedlings to infection.

Homemade Remedy

How to deal with the fungus if he althy seedlings are infected? Experienced summer residents do not recommend getting too carried away with chemicals. Cucumbers can accumulate poisons that will enter the human body along with cooked dishes.In some cases, they only aggravate the condition of infected seedlings.

What if the black leg of cucumbers can cause the death of all seedlings? It is worth using the means that you can cook at home. An excellent home-made preparation is a tincture of marigolds and onion peel. They are simply watered on the ground, and not only on infected sprouts, but also on he althy ones.

But this option is suitable if the initial signs of the disease were noticed. Otherwise, the blackened stems are cut off, deepening the root so that it can start new he althy shoots. If this does not help, then it is better to remove the seedlings completely. This will help save some of the cucumbers and get a harvest.

In any case, prevention is better than cure. So that a black leg does not appear on the seedlings, one must not neglect the tips for growing. It is worth inspecting each culture daily to notice the slightest signs of its change.Following simple rules, the black leg will not be afraid of cucumbers.

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