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Subject: Re: cucumber and eggplants
From: "Penny Morgan" <PMORGAN2@nc.rr.com>
Organization: Road Runner - NC
Date: Thu, 02 Aug 01 10:31:17
Message-ID: <MOD$010802.3780@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$010731.2565@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



It sounds like you have Powdery Mildew on your cucumbers. It is very common
on cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and melons. Unfortunately, once it starts,
you can't reverse what has been damaged. What you can do is prevent further
spreading and harvest your produce just like you normally would. It
shortens the life of your plants and the amount of produce.

Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease. Infected leaves release spores that are
spread by the wind. Plants infected usually produce low yields and poor
tasting fruit. Here's what you can do next year.

At the first sign of disease, pick and dispose of infected leaves and other
plant debris.
To curb the spread of the disease, spray a fungicidal baking soda solution
on both sides of the leaves at weekly intervals until harvest. Recipe to
follow. As an alternative, apply an organic sulfur fungicide to leaves.
Avoid application when temps. are above 85 degrees to prevent damage to
foliage. Or apply a systemic synthetic fungicide registered for melons that
contains the active ingredient benomyl. Next season, use resistant
varieties such as 'Ambrosia','Burpee Hybrid', 'Hale's Best Jumbo','Luscious
Plus', 'Savor Charantais', and 'Solid Gold'.

Baking Soda Fungicide: Mix 2 TBSP. of baking soda + 1 TBSP. vegetable oil +
1 cup of warm water. Mix well until the baking soda is completely
dissolved. Mix this with 1 gallon warm water. Pour solution into a spray
bottle and spray plant leaves on tops and backs until it drips off the
plants.
If you don't need this much, cut the recipe in half.

Your eggplants probably have flea beetles chewing them - it's their favorite
veggie, besides radishes. Spray the plant leaves on both sides with a good
insecticidal soap such as Safer Soap and keep applying whenever you see more
holes.

Try watering early in the morning instead of in the evening. When water
sits on plants, it's an invitation for fungal diseases which thrive on moist
conditions. If you water in the early morning, the plants will dry from the
sun and wind very quickly, eliminating that problem.

I'll be honest about the fertilizer you use - I hate Miracle Gro because
it's all chemical and can sometimes harm your plants more than natural
fertilizers. It also builds up salts in the soil if overused. I prefer to
use organic, slow release fertilizers. Espoma makes one called Garden Tone
which contains all the nutrients your plants need. It's granular and should
be applied around the base of the plants every couple of months. I also use
a liquid fertilizer every 3 -4 weeks called Fish & Kelp Emulsion. Again,
all natural and is like plant magic. It immediately goes into the plants
roots and leaves and won't damage the plants because it is so mild. My
flowers and veggies are the talk of the neighborhood and I've converted many
neighbors just by showing them my plants. All right - I'll get off my
soapbox now. Good Luck in your gardening adventures.

Penny
Zone 7 - North Carolina
(formerly of Albany, NY)
wrote in message
news:MOD$010731.2565@rec.gardens.ecosystems...
>
> Can anyone help me identify and fix my problem. My bush cucumbers were
> just beginnng to produce some nice cukes and now the leaves are turning
> white on top.
> There are a few dark green leaves but not many. I used Miracle Grow
> about 3 times since planting end of May.
>
> Also my eggplant leaves are getting full of tiny holes and are beginnng
> to look like they also are turning whitish. The eggplants are about
> grapefruit size now and look ok.
>
> Any help will be appreciated. I used the regular vegetable Miracle Grow
> and mixed it up 1 Tbls. per 2 gallons of water.
> Most watering was done after 6PM. I live in Eastern Pennsylvania and our
> growing season is till about Sept.
>
> There is a large maple tree in my yard.
> It is about 20 feet away from the garden.
>
>