Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: ben on July 12, 2009, 13:54

Title: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: ben on July 12, 2009, 13:54

Hi,

I reckon my cucumbers have got mosaic virus ... please tell me they haven't !

Its defintely not sun scorch as the greenhouse has been fleeced to stop this.

Thanks,
Ben

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: azubah on July 12, 2009, 20:20

I have something like that on a couple of spare runner beans that have been neglected in the greenhouse.

It does not look like the mosaic virus we had on parsnips last year.
That was bright yellow with more distinct edges on the areas.

I would like to know what it is too.

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: peapod on July 12, 2009, 20:24

Im not an expert by any means, but it looks like the start of mosaic to me

I hope I stand corrected though

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: mumofstig on July 12, 2009, 20:30

Looks like it to me as well  :(

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: Elcie on July 12, 2009, 20:37

Mine look a bit like this.  Is there a cure?  Or is it fatal?

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: Spana on July 12, 2009, 20:54

Uuummm, it does look a bit like it.  Did it start at the bottom and work up, are the leaves crispy.  Turn the leaves over and see if you can see any spider type webs especially at the leaf stalk where it joins the main stem.

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: ben on July 13, 2009, 07:23

Leaves are crispy, no webs on the bottom.
It did start about 3 weeks ago on the bottom couple of leaves, but it was during that really hot period and the greenhouse wasn't shaded then, so I thought it was just sun scorch.

Damn it, I'm going to have to pull the plants out arn't I !
Absolutely gutted, as there are loads of fruits on them, and they were doing so well.

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: Greengirl on July 13, 2009, 16:20

I think it could be red spider mite too - the mites & webs are hard to spot - they love cucumber & melon plants. Try using a magnifying glass to look under the leaves & if there aren't any mites, it's probably the virus.

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: Spana on July 13, 2009, 17:00

I thought or was sort of hoping for Ben's sake  it was red spider mite but pic below is red spider mite and it does look different. :(

Unfortunately the cucumber  in the pic is mine :(



(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c176/Codswolop/P1020519.jpg)

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: ben on July 13, 2009, 17:39

Thanks for the replies, I guess I'll rip out the plants and hope it doesn't spread to any others.

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: Jay Dubya on July 13, 2009, 20:03

Hi, isn't this caused by not enough humidity in the atmosphere i thought a bowl of water under the plants might help.

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: ben on July 13, 2009, 20:30

Thats the problem with growing cucumbers and tomatoes under one roof - cukes like it humid, tomatoes don't.

I just can't bring myself to rip the plants out - all the young leaves look well, and the fruits look good too.
I think I might risk it for a few days and see what transpires ... although I can see this being a bit of a gamble.
But on the other hand, the first leaf that had this symptom was 3 weeks ago, so surely if it was going to transmit then it already would have done ?!
I've removed all the funny looking leaves at least.

Oh well, we'll see how we go. Am I being insane ?!

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: azubah on July 13, 2009, 20:37

If it were me I would risk it if there are lots of healthy looking fruit on there, but you aren't me so you have to make your decision.

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: Spana on July 13, 2009, 20:42

Nah, i'd do the same :lol:

I've been spraying my red spider mites with water and I have a big dish of water underneath and i cant make it any better.  I should pull it out really but i keep hoping :lol:
Probably making a rod for our own backs tho :lol:

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: peapod on July 13, 2009, 21:10

can you sheet it off a little around your cuc to create a bit of humidity?

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: ben on July 13, 2009, 21:15

What about a cling-film wrap   :tongue2:

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: peapod on July 13, 2009, 21:25

worth a go with cling film and a few canes

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: gawk on July 14, 2009, 09:21

Having the same problem as you with CMV so I had a look around for some helpful tips and came across this site (link below), might be useful for you.

http://forum.gardeningmags.co.uk/forumlive/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2831 (http://forum.gardeningmags.co.uk/forumlive/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2831)

Title: Re: Cucumber Moasic Virus ?
Post by: richyrich7 on July 14, 2009, 09:45

I too think it's due to humidity, my cuckes have really struggled until I put plastic tubs with water under them, and hosed down the greenhouse floor. Like it's been said cuckes like it steamy but toms don't bit of a problem in a mixed greenhouse, try to keep an air flow going that helps the toms cope with the humidity, my peppers are growing great guns but the rise in humidity has caused mildew on some already  :(