Why do cucumber leaves turn yellow and dry on the windowsill and what to do?

Growing cucumbers at home is an important test for every gardener. Why do the leaves of cucumbers living on the veranda or open beds dry out? There are several reasons for this problem. The plant has rich foliage and is constantly developing, capturing living space.

general information

The main problems that precede yellowing of the foliage lie in improper watering, fertilizing or lighting.

But there are some nuances that need to be considered in more detail:

1. Lighting. The plant has dense and wide foliage. In pursuit of sunlight, the lower part is oppressed.Some diseases of cucumbers on the windowsill actually occur in insufficient light. Yellowing and drying of the leaves is the first sign that the plant requires additional care.
2. Watering. Insufficient watering leads to disease in cucumber seedlings and adult plants. Abundant irrigation should be done at least once a week. When setting and growing fruits, there is an intensive consumption of moisture, which can only be replenished from the soil. There is no need to treat the culture for imaginary diseases. It is enough to organize an effective watering schedule and subsequently follow the recommendations of experts.
3. Hypothermia. When growing a crop in a risky farming zone, sudden temperature changes are possible. The heat-loving plant does not tolerate the cold test well, after which the leaves turn white and part of the flora dies. The most favorable is considered to be a constant temperature regime without sharp fluctuations.
4. Nutrition. When examining a crop, gardeners first examine the tops. The lower leaves on cucumbers are a kind of health indicator. Yellowing, wilting and death of plant parts depend on nutrients. With intensive development, cucumber leaves require elements such as phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.
5. Fungal diseases. The culture develops well in greenhouse conditions. Abundant watering provokes the development of soil bacteria, after which the entire crop can become infected. Green plants are also often affected, becoming covered with a grayish-brown coating. Treatment with a disinfecting solution, for example, Topaz or Quadris, helps. Infected leaves are removed immediately.
6. Stressful situations.When there is a sudden change in weather, a change in temperature, or damage to the plant by strong wind, rain or hail, survival mechanisms are triggered - this is why the foliage of cucumbers turns yellow. The culture tries to survive and provides nutrition to the most productive parts: tops and fruits.
7. End of the season. Cucumbers are an annual plant whose purpose is to grow fruit and set seeds for the next season. At the end of the life cycle, the foliage gradually turns yellow and the tops dry out. Cucumbers on the windowsill clearly show this process: first, the lower part of the tops dries, and in the future, the whole plant.

But what to do if the leaves of the cucumbers on the windowsill turn yellow and why does this happen?

An effective folk remedy for preventing yellowing of leaves is a solution of kefir and whey from sour milk. The composition is diluted with water in a ratio of 2:10. Cucumbers are regularly treated with the resulting mixture.

The effect is achieved due to lactic acid bacteria, which do not harm the crop, but inhibit wild soil bacteria.

A little about fertilizers

So why do cucumber seedlings turn yellow with proper care? Why do the leaves die from this? If the irrigation regime is correctly selected and the temperature conditions meet the requirements for growing the variety, then they do not dry out. The problem most likely lies in a lack of nutrients.

Fertilizing is carried out several times a season using mineral and organic fertilizers. If the edges of the leaves begin to turn yellow, this is the first sign that the plant is feeling uncomfortable.

One of my grandmother’s effective recipes is mullein infusion. If the leaves dry out, pour three liters of warm water over a kilogram of manure and let it sit for several days.After this, the solution is filtered and diluted again with water. The resulting liquid is watered over the plants. This method is well suited for feeding: cucumbers on the balcony usually receive more attention than on the dacha plot.

Mineral fertilizers

In organic fertilizers, some elements are found in minute quantities. If there is an insufficient amount of minerals, cucumber leaves turn yellow and yield decreases. The application of mineral fertilizers is extremely important for the plant diet.

The main elemental composition includes:

1. Nitrogen. Here is the answer to the question why the leaves of seedlings dry out: it often turns out that it is due to the lack of nitrogen in the soil. The leaves of cucumber seedlings are sensitive to this element. The best sources of this element are urea, ammonium nitrate and urea. An excess of nitrogen in the soil leads to unreasonable growth of the cucumber crop. A small number of ovaries are formed, the foliage becomes a juicy dark green color. Even if the leaves dry on the cucumbers on the windowsill, the situation can be corrected with regular watering: the element is simply washed out of the soil with water.
2. Phosphorus. Responsible for the formation of the root system and the quality of plant nutrition. With its deficiency, the leaves of the seedlings turn yellow and general starvation of the crop is observed. The growth of stems slows down, fewer ovaries are formed and the yield decreases. If the leaves of your cucumbers on the windowsill are turning yellow, adding superphosphate to the soil will help. How to determine phosphorus deficiency? It is quite difficult, since it requires a complex analysis. It is unknown why a number of secondary symptoms appear. An excess of phosphorus prevents potassium from being absorbed. The treatment in this case is balanced fertilization.
3. Potassium.The function of the element is to deliver nutrients to each plant cell. If a plant's leaves turn yellow and growth slows down, one possible reason is a lack of potassium. This element gives the fruits a crunchy taste and cucumbers grow juicy. With its deficiency, the shoots turn yellow and dry out. You can compensate for the deficiency with potassium sulfate or potassium magnesium. Directly affects the vital processes of the plant and strengthens its immune system.

A lack of potassium in a plant can be determined by a number of signs:

• the leaves of the plant become bright green and dry around the edges;
• excessive growth of lashes;
• practically no ovary is formed, even if development occurs on a window, in a greenhouse at home;
• Excessive wateriness of the fruit and a bitter taste - this can provoke the development of cucumber diseases.

Organic fertilizers

The most common fertilizer in a summer cottage is manure. Its use is due to its natural composition.

Manure virtually eliminates the possibility of nutrient overdose:

• used dry and dug into the soil when planting;
• laid along the bed, providing fertilizing with each watering;
• make a liquid fertilizer: just add water and let it brew for several days, after straining, water the crop - it treats yellow leaves well, over time the tops acquire a healthy green color.

What to do with the tops

Each gardener solves this issue in his own way:

1. While the stems and leaves are still wet, it is helpful to have a compost bin or container. In a warm and humid place, the tops decompose and provide excellent organic fertilizer. Sometimes this can take a whole season. The finished mass is placed under future beds and dug up.
2. The tops of legumes (peas, beans), carrots and beets are especially valued. You can let it dry or grind it fresh. Dig along with the soil. Cucumbers or tomatoes will grow well in this place next season.
3. Ash is an excellent fertilizer for most crops. By burning the tops, we not only get the basis for feeding the entire garden, but also get rid of various pests and weed seeds. Insect embryos also fall into this list. For example, it is better to burn the foliage of an apple or pear tree that has dried out and turned white, as it contains a large number of pests. This will improve the health of the entire garden.

Sometimes you can see a large plastic or metal barrel at your summer cottage. The reasons why summer residents keep containers on their plots are quite simple: so-called barrel cucumbers are grown here. During the season, various tops of grass or weeds are placed in it. In the spring, soil with humus is added and cucumbers are planted, which produce a stable ovary and develop quickly.

To prevent the seedlings from turning yellow, the rims of the metal barrel are insulated. If the plant comes into contact with them, it may get burned. The seedlings hang from the edges of the barrel and feel at ease in the fresh air.

It is recommended to install the barrel on the sunny side; the main thing is to carefully monitor the development of the plant so as not to get burned areas. Processes that involve the release of heat warm up the root system during cool times of the day. Unlike indoor crops, this planting method provides certain advantages.

Fresh produce from the garden has a special, unique taste. It seems that the vegetables melt in the mouth, and the body happily accepts natural food. Food grown with your own hands is much tastier than store-bought.They are quickly absorbed, heal every cell, bring health and creative longevity to life.