Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2022 - 76

ALTERNATIVE FERTIGATION SCHEDULE
FOR CUCUMBER* (N:K,1:1)
Daily
Days after
planting
Preplant
0-7
8-21
22-63
64-70
nitrogen
1.0
1.5
2.0
1.5
*Adjust based on tissue analysis.
Greenhouse Cucumber Production. If you plan on growing
cucumbers to maturity in the greenhouse, you need to select a
greenhouse variety. This is because these varieties have been
bred specifically for greenhouse conditions - lower light, higher
humidity and temperature, etc., and they have better disease resistance
than field types.
Nearly all greenhouse cucumber varieties are gynecious,
parthenocarpic hybrids. This means that these varieties produce
only female flowers and the fruit are seedless. Since they are
all female, no pollination is needed. The seedless characteristic
makes the fruit very tender to eat. Greenhouse cucumbers are
also thin skinned which makes them more desirable than field
varieties. While non-greenhouse types would grow in the greenhouse,
the yield and quality would be reduced, and therefore
they may not be profitable.
Variety selection is based on yield, fruit size, uniformity,
disease resistance, and lack of physiological disorders, as well
as the market demand for the type grown. In some markets the
long, European types sells better, while in others, the small beit
alpha types, also referred to as " minis " , are preferred. For suggestions
on varieties, see the variety table above. Insect and disease
control methods for greenhouse vegetables can be found in
Tables 2-29 (in the Insect section) and 3-45 (in Disease section),
respectively.
SPECIAL NOTES FOR PEST MANAGEMENT
INSECT MANAGEMENT
Cucumber Beetle: Cucumber beetles can transmit bacterial
wilt; however, losses from this disease vary greatly from field to
field and among different varieties. Pickling cucumbers grown in
high-density rows for once-over harvesting can compensate for
at least 10% stand losses. On farms with a history of bacterial
wilt infections and where susceptible cultivars are used, foliar
insecticides should be used to control adult beetles before they
feed extensively on the cotyledons and first true leaves. Begin
spraying shortly after plant emergence and repeat applications at
weekly intervals if new beetles continue to invade fields. Treatments
may be required until stems begin vining (usually about 3
weeks after plant emergence), at which time plants are less susceptible
to wilt infections.
Pickleworm, Melonworm: Make one treatment prior to fruit set,
and then treat weekly.
Aphids: Aphids transmit several viruses (CMV, WMV, PRSV,
etc.) and can delay plant maturity. Thorough spray coverage
76
Daily
potash
1.0
1.5
2.0
1.5
Cumulative
Nitrogen
(lb / A)
24.0
31.0
52.0
136.0
150.0
24.0
31.0
52.0
136.0
150.0
Potash
beneath leaves is important. For further information on aphid
controls, see the preceding " Mulching " section. Treat seedlings
every 5 to 7 days or as needed.
Mites: Mite infestations generally begin around field margins
and grassy areas. CAUTION: DO NOT mow or maintain these
areas after midsummer because this forces mites into the crop.
Localized infestations can be spot-treated. Begin treatment when
50% of the terminal leaves show infestation. Note: Continuous
use of pyrethroids may result in mite outbreaks.
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Cucurbit Downy Mildew Forecasting System: Cucurbit downy
mildew (CDM) is a devastating foliar cucurbit disease. While
difficult, if not impossible to control, CDM can be prevented
by using effective IPM practices. A useful tool for prevention
of CDM is the CDM forecasting system. This program depends
on the accurate reporting of CDM in the field as well as the
monitoring of over 50 strategically placed sentinel plots. These
plots are monitored by Plant Pathologists at multiple Land Grant
Universities throughout the United States and Canada. Forecasts
of the epidemic movement of the disease are generated 3 times
a week. Risk maps are produced from these forecasts. For forecasts,
maps, local contacts and other helpful information please
visit our website, http://cdm.ipmpipe.org. If you think you have
CDM, please contact your local Extension office.
Phytophthora Blight: To minimize the occurrence of this disease,
fields should be adequately drained to ensure that soil water
does not accumulate around the base of the plants. Just before
plants begin vining, subsoil between rows to allow for faster
drainage following rainfall.
Belly Rot: Belly rot is a soil-borne disease. Application of appropriate
crop protectant at last cultivation may be helpful.
Weed Management: See the previous " Mulching " section for
futher information on weed control under clear plastic mulch.
Nematode Management. Use nematicides listed in the " Nematode
Control in Vegetate Crops " tables in the Disease Control
section.
POLLINATION
Bees are critical for insuring that pollination and cucumber fruit
set occurs. Supplementing a field with bee hives can be especially
helpful when native bee populations are low or lacking. Having
sufficient bees provides the opportunity to maximize cucumber
yields and quality. Lack of sufficient pollination can result in
a variety of misshapen fruits; dogbone, crooks, nubs, etc.
Rented honeybee hives are often placed in cucumber fields
as plants begins to flower. The timing of hive placement is important
because cucumber flowers are not that attractive to honeybees.
If the honeybee hives are placed by cucumber fields prematurely
before the crop flowers, the honeybees may forage to
wild flowers nearby which are more attractive due to their higher
nectar and pollen supply. If this occurs, the honeybees may be
predisposed to visit these wild flowers even though cucumber
flowers are in full bloom a few days later. Assuming that the
2022 Vegetable Crop Handbook for Southeastern United States
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Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2022

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