What folk remedies can be used to treat spider mites on cucumbers in a greenhouse? - briefly
Apply a diluted neem‑oil spray (≈1 % v/v) to all cucumber leaves, ensuring thorough coverage to suffocate the mites. Alternate with a 1 % garlic‑water rinse or a 0.5 % mild insecticidal‑soap solution for added suppression.
What folk remedies can be used to treat spider mites on cucumbers in a greenhouse? - in detail
Spider mites thrive in warm, dry greenhouse conditions and can quickly defoliate cucumber vines. Traditional, low‑cost methods remain effective when applied correctly.
A potassium‑rich spray made from neem oil (cold‑pressed, 5 % concentration) diluted to 0.5 % with water and a few drops of mild liquid soap provides both contact toxicity and repellence. Apply in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid leaf burn; repeat every five to seven days until populations collapse.
A homemade aqueous extract of garlic and chili pepper creates a potent deterrent. Blend 5 g of peeled garlic cloves and 2 g of dried hot chilies with 1 L of lukewarm water, let stand for 12 hours, strain, and add 1 % liquid soap as an emulsifier. Spray until runoff, focusing on the undersides of leaves where mites congregate. Reapply after rain or irrigation.
Soap‑based sprays using potassium salts (e.g., potassium bicarbonate) at 2 % w/v, mixed with a non‑ionic surfactant (0.1 % v/v), disrupt mite respiration. Use a fine mist to coat foliage, ensuring coverage of leaf undersides. Limit exposure to 30 minutes in direct sunlight to prevent phytotoxicity.
A tea infusion from powdered pyrethrum (chrysanthemum) offers a botanical insecticide. Dissolve 1 g of pyrethrum powder in 500 mL of hot water, steep for 15 minutes, cool, then filter. Add 0.5 % liquid soap and spray to wet the plant thoroughly. Pyrethrum degrades rapidly, minimizing residue concerns.
For a physical barrier, dust leaves with diatomaceous earth (food‑grade) after the plants have dried. The abrasive particles abrade mite exoskeletons, leading to desiccation. Re‑apply after watering or high humidity events.
Integrate these measures with cultural controls: maintain relative humidity above 60 %, reduce temperature spikes, and prune heavily infested foliage. Rotate treatments every 5–7 days to prevent resistance and monitor mite counts with a hand lens to assess efficacy.