Knowledgebase
Cucumber leaf damage #874076
Asked June 21, 2024, 1:09 PM EDT
Cucumbers growing in my earthboxrs are showing extensive leaf damage. Can you suggest a cause and action to resolve it?
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Good afternoon,
Thanks for reaching out. It looks like your cucumber may have an infestation of spider mites. I'll include a link here for more info. The leaf damage is on par for spider mites and the "dirt" on the underside of the leaves is a dead give away. You can try a few things to treat them. You can use a strong jet of water on the plant to remove/kill them. If you do this, repeat it a few times to make the biggest impact. They don't really react much to pesticides, but if you are desperate, the fact sheet I linked has a few good options to choose from. Proper watering during hot, dry periods is the key to preventing further damage and stopping a more widespread infestation.
Please reach out with any other questions,
Brody K
Colorado Master Gardener Apprentice