What measures should be taken to combat spider mites on cucumbers in a greenhouse during fruiting using folk remedies? - briefly
Apply regular sprays of diluted neem oil or a garlic‑chili soap solution, dust plants with food‑grade diatomaceous earth, and introduce predatory insects such as ladybird beetles; simultaneously increase greenhouse humidity and remove heavily infested foliage to suppress mite populations. These folk‑based actions together keep spider mite damage low during cucumber fruiting.
What measures should be taken to combat spider mites on cucumbers in a greenhouse during fruiting using folk remedies? - in detail
Spider mite infestations on cucumber plants in a greenhouse during fruiting require immediate, targeted action to protect yield. Begin with thorough inspection: examine the undersides of leaves for tiny moving specks and fine webbing. Remove heavily infested foliage and discard it away from the cultivation area to reduce the initial population.
Maintain an environment unfavorable to mites. Increase relative humidity to 70 %–80 % through misting or humidifiers, because dry air accelerates mite reproduction. Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent stagnant air and to lower leaf temperature, which also curtails mite development. Keep the greenhouse clean; eliminate plant debris and weeds that can harbor pests.
Apply folk-based treatments regularly, following a schedule of every 5–7 days until populations drop below economic thresholds. Commonly used preparations include:
- Garlic‑pepper spray – blend 5 g of peeled garlic, 1 g of crushed hot pepper, and 500 ml of water; let steep for 12 hours, strain, add a few drops of mild liquid soap as an emulsifier, and spray on both leaf surfaces.
- Neem oil solution – dilute cold‑pressed neem oil to 1 % (10 ml per litre of water) and incorporate a small amount of surfactant; apply in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid leaf burn.
- Insecticidal soap – mix 2 % pure liquid soap with water; this suffocates mites on contact. Use a fine mist to ensure coverage of leaf undersides.
- Diatomaceous earth – dust a thin layer of food‑grade diatomaceous earth around the base of plants and on leaves; the abrasive particles damage mite exoskeletons.
- Potato leaf extract – crush fresh potato leaves, blend with water, filter, and spray; the natural alkaloids deter mite feeding.
When preparing sprays, always use non‑ionic surfactants to improve leaf adhesion and prevent runoff. Apply treatments in moderate light conditions to minimize phytotoxicity. After each application, inspect plants for signs of stress; reduce concentration if chlorosis appears.
Supplement cultural measures with biological allies compatible with folk methods. Release predatory mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis) alongside the above sprays; the mild soaps and oils do not harm these beneficial insects when used at recommended dilutions.
Record observations: note mite counts, environmental parameters, and treatment dates. Adjust humidity, ventilation, and spray frequency based on the recorded data to maintain control throughout the fruiting period. Continuous monitoring and disciplined application of these low‑cost, plant‑derived remedies effectively suppress spider mite populations without resorting to synthetic chemicals.