Identifying Cucumber and Zucchini Problems

Since cucumbers and zucchini are two of the most common types of vegetables to be grown in a garden, chances are you will run across some difficulties over time. Identifying cucumber and zucchini problems, at least some of the common ones, is an important step in being able to properly take care of your plants. Here are a few of the more common problems that you can find with cucumbers and zucchinis, and the way that you can identify it.

Keep in mind that most of the information contained in this article will deal with identifying some of the more common problems that can face a zucchini or a cucumber plant. While there may be some general information listed about how to deal with the plants' problems, that is not the main focus of the article. Once you have identified what the specific problem is, you will then be able to learn how to treat it.

• Bacterial wilt. Bacterial wilt will commonly effect plants such as cucumbers, squash, melons, and gourds, but typically have to be "invited" into the plant. This happens most often by the bacteria entering into the plant through some kind of a trauma, such as a beetle. You can tell that your plant might have this problem if you notice your cucumber vines begin to "mysteriously" wilt and die off. Unfortunately, if your vines are infected, there is very little that you can do other than cutting the infected vine off of the rest of the plant.
• Falling zucchini fruit. Periodically zucchini fruit will have a tendency to "fall off" the plant. When this happens, the fruit will begin to grow a little bit, and then fall off of the plant. The most common reason that this happens is due to improper pollination, and the plant was not able to produce any viable seeds. There is another cause for this, and that is due to blossom end rot, which can be identified by having blackened ends on the small immature fruits.
• Cucumber beetle. The easiest way to identify whether you have any cucumber beetles in your garden is to first take a look and see if you have any insects crawling around on the vines or fruit. If, or when, you find some, take a look and see what the coloring of the insect is. Most cucumber beetles have a green tinge, and black stripes or spots on them. Since cucumbers are fairly susceptible to damage from insecticides, use the most delicate one that you can.