How can I fight spider mite on cucumbers in a greenhouse using folk remedies, and during which period? - briefly
Apply a spray of diluted neem oil, insecticidal soap, or a garlic‑chili infusion to cucumber leaves, covering the undersides and re‑applying every 5–7 days. Begin treatment at the first detection of mites, typically from late spring to early summer, and continue through harvest.
How can I fight spider mite on cucumbers in a greenhouse using folk remedies, and during which period? - in detail
Spider mites thrive in warm, dry greenhouse environments, reproducing rapidly when temperatures exceed 25 °C and relative humidity stays below 60 %. Early detection is essential; look for stippled leaves, fine webbing on leaf undersides, and a sudden decline in vigor.
Cultural measures
- Keep temperature between 18‑22 °C during the day; lower night temperatures slow mite development.
- Maintain humidity at 70‑80 % by misting or using humidifiers; high humidity interferes with egg hatch.
- Remove plant debris and replace heavily infested foliage promptly.
- Rotate cucumbers with non‑host crops each season to break the mite cycle.
Folk remedies and application schedule
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Soap‑water spray – dissolve 2 % liquid castile soap in water, add a few drops of horticultural oil. Apply to both leaf surfaces every 3‑4 days until mites disappear. Begin at the first sign of damage and continue through the fruit‑set period.
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Garlic‑infused spray – blend 5 g garlic cloves with 1 L water, steep 24 h, strain, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil and a pinch of mild soap. Spray every 5 days, focusing on the undersides of leaves. Use from seedling stage to early fruit development.
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Pepper‑chili decoction – boil 10 g dried hot pepper in 1 L water for 15 minutes, cool, filter, add 1 % soap. Apply every 7 days during the flowering phase, when mite populations peak.
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Tobacco‑leaf tea – steep 30 g dried tobacco leaves in 1 L water for 12 hours, filter, dilute 1:5 with fresh water, add a few drops of neem oil for added acaricidal effect. Spray weekly from the vegetative stage through the first harvest.
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Neem‑oil emulsion – mix 1 % cold‑pressed neem oil with 0.5 % soap in water. Apply every 5 days, especially during hot, dry spells. Neem disrupts mite feeding and egg laying.
Timing considerations
- Initiate preventive sprays when seedlings reach the true‑leaf stage, before temperatures consistently exceed 25 °C.
- Intensify applications during the flowering and early fruiting phases, when mites reproduce most vigorously (approximately weeks 4‑8 after transplant).
- Reduce frequency once foliage shows no signs of activity for two consecutive weeks and environmental conditions remain humid.
Monitoring
- Inspect leaves daily for new webbing.
- Use a hand lens (10×) to count mites; a threshold of 5 mites per leaf indicates the need for immediate treatment.
- Record temperature, humidity, and spray dates to refine future schedules.
Combining environmental control with the listed folk sprays, applied according to the outlined calendar, suppresses spider mite populations throughout the cucumber production cycle in a greenhouse.