Problems with cucumbers
Identify what's wrong by where it appears and what you can see.
Where is the problem?
Start by selecting the part of the plant where you see the problem.
Start with the symptom
Or pick from the symptoms most often seen on cucumbers.
Common problems with cucumbers
The problems recorded on cucumbers, the most common first.
19 problems
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Aphids
Small, soft insects clustered on new growth and under leaves, leaving sticky honeydew. -
Poor pollination
Flowers but no fruit, or small, misshapen fruit that shrivels at the tip. -
Powdery mildew
A white, powdery coating on leaves that spreads in dry weather, weakening the plant. -
Anthracnose
Sunken, dark spots on fruit and leaves, often with pink spore masses in wet weather. -
Bacterial wilt
Whole runners or plants wilt suddenly and die within days, without yellowing first. -
Cucumber beetles
Yellow-and-black striped or spotted beetles chewing cucurbit leaves and flowers, spreading wilt. -
Cucumber mosaic virus
Mottled yellow and green, puckered leaves, stunted plants and warty, mottled fruit. -
Downy mildew
Yellow, angular patches on top of leaves with grey-purple fuzz underneath. -
Spider mites
Fine pale speckling on leaves, then yellowing and webbing. The mites are barely visible. -
Underwatering
Crisp, dry leaves and flopping growth in dust-dry soil. The quickest problem to fix. -
Whitefly
Tiny white flies that rise in a cloud when you touch the plant. Leaves go sticky and yellow. -
Slugs and snails
Ragged holes in leaves and seedlings gone overnight, with silvery slime trails.
