Knowledgebase

Cucumbers suddently getting mottled and wilted. #877490

Asked July 16, 2024, 2:25 PM EDT

Hi Extension Team! I've had decent success with my Lemon Cucumber and cornichon vines this season...until this week. What used to be healthy, bushy green vines are now mottled and wilting away. It looks like whatever's happening is affecting them from the bottom leaves, and then working its way up the vines. A few of the vines have unfortunately already died off - they've gotten soft, starting with the leaves, and then the vine. On the other hand, several other plants have prolific flowers even with the leaves turning colors. Watering has been consistent, and they were fertilized with an organic vegetable fertilizer back at the beginning of June. Our garden soil is a bit heavier with clay, but we amended with some manure and compost in the spring before planting. Any advice is welcome!

Kent County Michigan

Expert Response

The problem with the cucumbers appears to be powdery mildew. Powdery mildew presents as a white powdery growth on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves and on the plant stems. Powdery mildew on cucumbers is caused by two primary fungal pathogens, Podosphaera xanthii and Erysiphe cichoracearum. Fungal spores are spread by the wind. This fungal disease is common in warm weather and can be destructive in dry as well as hot seasons. It can grow rapidly with high humidity but, unlike many other plant fungi, is not encouraged by wet foliage.


Powdery mildew can be managed by planting varieties of cucumbers that are resistant to plant pathogens. Space the plants to provide adequate air circulation around plants or grow the cucumbers on a trellis. Cleaning up diseased leaves and disposing of the leaves, do not compost the infected leaves. At the end of the growing season clean up all plant debris and do not allow the diseased plant to over winter in the garden. Apply a fungicide labeled for use on powdery mildew at the first sign of an infestation. As with any fungicide make sure to read and follow the label directions.


More information on powdery mildew can be found in this article from the University of Minnesota Extension: Powdery mildew of cucurbits | UMN Extension


Thank you for your question and have a great gardening experience.


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