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Dying cucumbers and squash #875738

Asked July 02, 2024, 8:30 PM EDT

My cucs and squash are dying. Beets and flowers are fine. I sprayed malathion and soapy water. It did nothing. I will add some pictures I tried plants and seeds

Aurora County South Dakota

Expert Response

Hi Monte,

Where in the state are you located?

There could be a few reasons for this.  Lack of nutrients, especially nitrogen can cause yellowing of the leaves.  Have you had your garden soil tested?  There are also a few different pests and diseases that can cause issues.  I've linked a U of MN Extension article that lists several different reasons why squash leaves could be yellowing and dying.  

Was there flooding in the area?  Has there been any herbicide application in the area?  If you have tomatoes nearby that also have leaves curling, that could be an indication of herbicide damage.  

The second picture with the wilting leaves looks like lack of water, which could be from xylem or root damage due to disease, or just a lack of water. 

https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/vegetable/cucumber/leavesdiscolored.html 

I'm starting to see the eggs of the squash vine borer on my own zucchinis, so that could be an issue.  If you check the base of the plant right near the ground, you may be able to see the tiny black eggs of the squash vine borer.  Leaf wilting is an early sign of squash borer.

I'm also waiting to hear back from our plant pathologists to see if they have anything to add and will let you know if they do.

Sincerely,

Robin


An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 08, 2024, 11:12 AM EDT

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