Cucumbers Ain’t Doing Well - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T14:18:51Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A328010&feed=yes&xn_auth=noYou've got to load those fish…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-04:4778851:Comment:3298582012-05-04T01:38:33.878ZPhil Slatonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PhilSlaton
<p>You've got to load those fish tanks with more fingerling fish. 50 fish are better than 49 for producing the nutrients that you need. If you are using a clairfier, by pass it until your fish double in size. Then open up a second system and move half the fish, also move a third to a half the water out of the first tank to the new tank.</p>
<p>You've got to load those fish tanks with more fingerling fish. 50 fish are better than 49 for producing the nutrients that you need. If you are using a clairfier, by pass it until your fish double in size. Then open up a second system and move half the fish, also move a third to a half the water out of the first tank to the new tank.</p> It appears like I have a "mit…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-03:4778851:Comment:3295722012-05-03T16:23:53.696ZShean Smithhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SheanSmith
<p>It appears like I have a "mitey big problem" in my one of my growbeds. It doesn’t appear as if my second growbed is affected at all (which my 'maters, peppers, and other nightshade veggies are in). Thanks again my friend for your illumination on this matter; you’ve been a great help to me by identifying this mitey big problem. I live in the Deep South near the Alabama Gulf Coast and there is a preponderance of critters, varmints, and pests that love gardens more than I do, evidently. It…</p>
<p>It appears like I have a "mitey big problem" in my one of my growbeds. It doesn’t appear as if my second growbed is affected at all (which my 'maters, peppers, and other nightshade veggies are in). Thanks again my friend for your illumination on this matter; you’ve been a great help to me by identifying this mitey big problem. I live in the Deep South near the Alabama Gulf Coast and there is a preponderance of critters, varmints, and pests that love gardens more than I do, evidently. It looks like my garden will require me to divide my husbandry skills between my bride of 19 years and my garden. :-) Have a great day!</p>
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<p>Shean<br/> <br/> <cite>Gary Lanning said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A329550&xg_source=activity#4778851Comment329550"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>The beans and cukes are the worst but we checked all our plants today and found mites as well as thrips on the tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, swiss chard, and morning glories. The numbers are very low on these so I am going to try some organic controls like Neem oil and Mighty Wash. <br/> <br/> <cite>Shean Smith said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A329055&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment329055"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Are any of your other plants affected? </p>
<p><br/> <br/> <cite>Gary Lanning said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A328731&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment328731"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>My cucumbers and beans look exactly like your pictures, Shean. I just checked the underside of the leaves with a microscope and they are infested with mites. </p>
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</blockquote> The beans and cukes are the w…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-03:4778851:Comment:3295502012-05-03T15:01:11.533ZGary Lanninghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GaryLanning
<p>The beans and cukes are the worst but we checked all our plants today and found mites as well as thrips on the tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, swiss chard, and morning glories. The numbers are very low on these so I am going to try some organic controls like Neem oil and Mighty Wash. <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Shean Smith said:…</cite></p>
<p>The beans and cukes are the worst but we checked all our plants today and found mites as well as thrips on the tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, swiss chard, and morning glories. The numbers are very low on these so I am going to try some organic controls like Neem oil and Mighty Wash. <br/> <br/> <cite>Shean Smith said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A329055&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment329055"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Are any of your other plants affected? </p>
<p><br/> <br/> <cite>Gary Lanning said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A328731&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment328731"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>My cucumbers and beans look exactly like your pictures, Shean. I just checked the underside of the leaves with a microscope and they are infested with mites. </p>
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</blockquote> Are any of your other plants…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-02:4778851:Comment:3290552012-05-02T20:37:38.987ZShean Smithhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SheanSmith
<p>Are any of your other plants affected? </p>
<p><br></br> <br></br> <cite>Gary Lanning said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A328731&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment328731"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>My cucumbers and beans look exactly like your pictures, Shean. I just checked the underside of the leaves with a microscope and they are infested with…</p>
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<p>Are any of your other plants affected? </p>
<p><br/> <br/> <cite>Gary Lanning said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A328731&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment328731"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>My cucumbers and beans look exactly like your pictures, Shean. I just checked the underside of the leaves with a microscope and they are infested with mites. </p>
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</blockquote> My cucumbers and beans look e…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-02:4778851:Comment:3287312012-05-02T11:29:28.143ZGary Lanninghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GaryLanning
<p>My cucumbers and beans look exactly like your pictures, Shean. I just checked the underside of the leaves with a microscope and they are infested with mites. </p>
<p>My cucumbers and beans look exactly like your pictures, Shean. I just checked the underside of the leaves with a microscope and they are infested with mites. </p> Howdy!
Auburn Extension answ…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-30:4778851:Comment:3280102012-04-30T20:33:51.015ZShean Smithhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SheanSmith
<p>Howdy!</p>
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<p>Auburn Extension answered my quarry with the following so you can pass this along. Of course the fungicide suggested isn’t fish safe so other means of prevention should be adhered to. All of my cukes were together so that’s why all of mine were sick.</p>
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<p>Shean Smith</p>
<p>"From the photos, It looks like Alternaria Leaf Blight. This disease is caused by the fungus Alternaria cucumerina and causes small, tan spots to appear on the leaves, which can later…</p>
<p>Howdy!</p>
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<p>Auburn Extension answered my quarry with the following so you can pass this along. Of course the fungicide suggested isn’t fish safe so other means of prevention should be adhered to. All of my cukes were together so that’s why all of mine were sick.</p>
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<p>Shean Smith</p>
<p>"From the photos, It looks like Alternaria Leaf Blight. This disease is caused by the fungus Alternaria cucumerina and causes small, tan spots to appear on the leaves, which can later enlarge to 1½ inches or more in diameter. Leaf drop can be severe. Bright sunshine, frequent dews or rain, and temperatures between 60 and 90 °F favor disease development. Prevention & Treatment: Remove and destroy all infected plant residues at the end of the gardening season, since the fungus survives the winter on plant residue. This disease is easily spread by tools, wind, splashing water, or insects. Rotation of crops and seed treatment will also help. When this disease occurs consistently in the garden, a preventative fungicide program can be followed. A couple of preventative fungicides for cucumbers are chlorothalonil and Maneb. These fungicides should be available at your local farm supply store. When using these fungicides, please read and follow all label directions for use."</p>
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<p><br/> <br/> <cite>TCLynx said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?id=4778851%3ATopic%3A326151&page=2#4778851Comment327652"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Cucumbers like the lower pH though. So my guess would be potassium deficiency, if you are using potassium bicarbonate, it will take care of bringing pH up as well as providing potassium. Of course you have been using seaweed extract so that also provides plenty of potassium so I'm not really sure. I always had really bad problems with cucumbers in AP because of my really hard water and high pH/overabundance of calcium with potassium and Iron lock out.</p>
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</blockquote> Everything else is growing li…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-30:4778851:Comment:3277542012-04-30T17:37:05.486ZShean Smithhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SheanSmith
<p>Everything else is growing like their’s no tomorrow.</p>
<p>Everything’s dark green and lush with blooms and fruit,</p>
<p>and if it was possible, everything’s smiling at me as</p>
<p>if they were saying "thank you” (except the cukes</p>
<p>which are ingrates). I may try Will Allen’s idea and</p>
<p>put them in cocopeat and my worms’ castings in</p>
<p>pots within the bed. I’m making a smaller one, a one "IBC </p>
<p>system," with the bed on top and will use it as a trial</p>
<p>by fire…</p>
<p>Everything else is growing like their’s no tomorrow.</p>
<p>Everything’s dark green and lush with blooms and fruit,</p>
<p>and if it was possible, everything’s smiling at me as</p>
<p>if they were saying "thank you” (except the cukes</p>
<p>which are ingrates). I may try Will Allen’s idea and</p>
<p>put them in cocopeat and my worms’ castings in</p>
<p>pots within the bed. I’m making a smaller one, a one "IBC </p>
<p>system," with the bed on top and will use it as a trial</p>
<p>by fire system to experiment with. Anyway as the</p>
<p>old saying goes, “Live and learn and then die and forget it all."</p>
<p><br/> <cite>TCLynx said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A327652&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment327652"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Cucumbers like the lower pH though. So my guess would be potassium deficiency, if you are using potassium bicarbonate, it will take care of bringing pH up as well as providing potassium. Of course you have been using seaweed extract so that also provides plenty of potassium so I'm not really sure. I always had really bad problems with cucumbers in AP because of my really hard water and high pH/overabundance of calcium with potassium and Iron lock out.</p>
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</blockquote> Cucumbers like the lower pH t…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-30:4778851:Comment:3276522012-04-30T13:20:55.871ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>Cucumbers like the lower pH though. So my guess would be potassium deficiency, if you are using potassium bicarbonate, it will take care of bringing pH up as well as providing potassium. Of course you have been using seaweed extract so that also provides plenty of potassium so I'm not really sure. I always had really bad problems with cucumbers in AP because of my really hard water and high pH/overabundance of calcium with potassium and Iron lock out.</p>
<p>Cucumbers like the lower pH though. So my guess would be potassium deficiency, if you are using potassium bicarbonate, it will take care of bringing pH up as well as providing potassium. Of course you have been using seaweed extract so that also provides plenty of potassium so I'm not really sure. I always had really bad problems with cucumbers in AP because of my really hard water and high pH/overabundance of calcium with potassium and Iron lock out.</p> I agree with what's already b…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-28:4778851:Comment:3270012012-04-28T16:34:15.986ZAmanda Plantehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AmandaPlante
<div class="description xj_comment_editor xg_user_generated" id="desc_4778851Comment326928"><p>I agree with what's already been said about the potassium deficiency. Keep an eye on it and see if the new foliage develops any issues or if the old foliage gets any worse.</p>
<p>The symptoms could also be attributed to a plant disease such as anthracnose. Normally this would be treatable by applying fungicide. In a hydroponic system, it can spread extremely easily from plant to plant. I'm not…</p>
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<div class="description xj_comment_editor xg_user_generated" id="desc_4778851Comment326928"><p>I agree with what's already been said about the potassium deficiency. Keep an eye on it and see if the new foliage develops any issues or if the old foliage gets any worse.</p>
<p>The symptoms could also be attributed to a plant disease such as anthracnose. Normally this would be treatable by applying fungicide. In a hydroponic system, it can spread extremely easily from plant to plant. I'm not sure what to do if you do have anthracnose in an aquaponic situation. If I had anthracnose, I would remove the plants, let the water cycle for a few weeks, replace as much of the water as possible, maybe try your hand at a different crop from another plant family in the meantime. But I could be wrong. Best to wait and see how the plants respond to your treatment for K deficiency.</p>
<p>Stressed plants are also more susceptible to insect pressures. I agree with the other posts that mention spider mites. You can check for spider mites by placing a blank, white piece of paper under the leaf. Shake the leaf over the paper. If you have mites, you should see them crawling around on the paper. You can treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Once the plants start to recover from the K deficiency, they'll be less stressed and hopefully less susceptible to pest pressure.</p>
</div> Thank you for the assistance.…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-28:4778851:Comment:3266762012-04-28T16:03:31.516ZShean Smithhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SheanSmith
<p>Thank you for the assistance. I’ll tweak the Ph just a tad to bring the Ph between about 6.8. <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Larry said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A326600&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment326910"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I have read that the iron should be a Tsp about once a month or so, not a few times a week. also your PH is just a touch low target 6.8 one up…</p>
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<p>Thank you for the assistance. I’ll tweak the Ph just a tad to bring the Ph between about 6.8. <br/> <br/> <cite>Larry said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/cucumbers-ain-t-doing-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A326600&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment326910"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I have read that the iron should be a Tsp about once a month or so, not a few times a week. also your PH is just a touch low target 6.8 one up or down ok but tartget 6.8. With your Ph below 6.8 you can still get a chemical lock out of some nutriants.</p>
<p>Shean</p>
<p>“Live and learn; die and forget it all."</p>
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