What should be used to treat spider mites on cucumbers in a greenhouse during harvest using folk remedies? - briefly
Apply a diluted neem‑oil spray (1–2 % oil with a few drops of mild liquid soap) directly to foliage; a second option is a homemade spray made from garlic extract and hot‑pepper infusion, both effective folk treatments for spider mites on greenhouse cucumbers during harvest.
What should be used to treat spider mites on cucumbers in a greenhouse during harvest using folk remedies? - in detail
Spider mites thrive in warm, dry greenhouse conditions and can rapidly defoliate cucumber vines, reducing marketable yield. Folk remedies offer practical, low‑cost options when chemical controls are undesirable during the harvest period.
A common botanical spray is neem oil, diluted to 1–2 % (approximately 5 ml per litre of water). Add a few drops of mild liquid soap as an emulsifier, shake well, and apply to both leaf surfaces until runoff. Neem oil interferes with mite feeding and reproduction without leaving harmful residues.
Another effective preparation uses garlic‑onion extract. Blend equal parts of peeled garlic cloves and onion bulbs with water (1 kg each per 10 L). Let the mixture steep for 24 hours, strain, and add 1 % liquid soap before spraying. The sulfur compounds deter mites and provide a mild repellent effect.
A third option relies on a soap‑based solution. Dissolve 2 % potassium soap (or any pure, biodegradable soap) in warm water, add a teaspoon of horticultural oil, and spray thoroughly. The surfactant penetrates the mite’s waxy coating, causing desiccation.
For rapid knock‑down, a diluted mixture of tobacco water can be employed. Soak 200 g of dried tobacco leaves in 5 L of water for 12 hours, filter, then add 1 % liquid soap. Apply in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid leaf burn.
When using any folk spray, observe the following protocol:
- Test on a small leaf area 24 hours before full application to detect phytotoxicity.
- Apply in cool, low‑light conditions to minimize stress on the plant.
- Repeat applications every 5–7 days until mite populations fall below economic thresholds.
- Combine treatments with cultural controls: maintain humidity at 70 % or higher, provide adequate ventilation, and remove heavily infested foliage.
Integrating these traditional preparations with vigilant greenhouse management can suppress spider mite outbreaks during the critical harvest phase while preserving cucumber quality and consumer safety.