Zucchini leaves turn yellow and curl: how to deal with this in open ground

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Author of the article

Yakov Pavlovich

Professor, Head of the Department of Vegetable Growing

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Zucchini is a popular vegetable used for delicious cooking or canning. Growing zucchini is considered a simple process, but sometimes yellow spots appear on the leaves of the plant. Therefore, vegetable growers are thinking about why zucchini leaves turn yellow in open ground. There may be various reasons for this, depending on which the method of control is chosen.

Reasons for yellowing of zucchini leaves

Yellowing of plant foliage is always a signal of trouble. There are many factors influencing the condition of shoots. Often the reason why zucchini leaves turn yellow is violations of growing rules.

Care errors

Failure to comply with agricultural practices provokes disturbances in the processes of nutrition, photosynthesis, and metabolism. On the leaf plates of zucchini this is manifested by yellowness.

Causes of chlorosis associated with improper care:

• little heat or too hot;
• lack of light;
• cold;
• thermal burn;
• underfilling or excess moisture;
• acidic soil.

When zucchini are planted closely, they take food from each other and block some of the leaves from the sun. Because of this, zucchini seedlings turn yellow even at the cotyledon leaf stage.

If there is little oxygen in the soil, the soil may become sour, the roots may rot, and the leaves may turn yellow. This happens because water displaces air from the soil or a crust on its surface prevents oxygen from penetrating to the roots. This is especially true for seedlings growing in pots with poor drainage.

Often, zucchini leaves turn yellow due to a lack of nutrition in general or a lack of specific minerals. In this case, in addition to yellowing, other signs appear:

The yield of zucchini suffering from nutrient deficiencies is greatly reduced.

Insect pests

If all the rules for growing zucchini are followed, the leaves may turn yellow due to insects. It could be aphids or spider mites.

Pests settle on the tops and begin to suck out the juice. As a result, physiological processes are disrupted, the foliage at the bite sites becomes infected, and the zucchini weakens. Their leaves turn yellow, curl, wither and die.

Diseases

Some zucchini diseases are signaled by yellowing leaves. Often the infection develops rapidly

It is important to notice these manifestations in time in order to begin treatment immediately

Why do the leaves of seedlings turn yellow?

The leaves of zucchini seedlings may turn yellow for the following reasons:

• lack of light;
• lack of heat;
• malnutrition;
• thickening of plantings;
• powdery mildew disease;
• spider mite attack;
• chlorosis damage.

For normal development, zucchini requires 11 hours of daylight. Zucchini is planted in April and in this month the length of daylight hours is quite sufficient for the development of zucchini seedlings. The lack of light may be due to the darkening of the seedlings by other seedlings or the location being far from the window.

1. Lack of heat usually occurs on a poorly insulated balcony or loggia. The temperature comfortable for development is +20–25ºC during the day and +18–20ºC at night. Night temperatures in April are often significantly below optimal.
2. With a lack of nitrogen, old leaves begin to lighten and turn yellow.
3. Iron deficiency is visible by the pale or light yellow color of new young growing leaves.

In addition to these nutrients, zucchini needs:

• boron;
• phosphorus;
• manganese;
• calcium;
• magnesium.

With a lack of macro- and microelements, a peculiar yellowing of the leaves and their gradual death, characteristic of each element, occurs.

Grown-up seedlings, planted densely, or planted in pots or cells of small volume, close their leaves and begin to fight for light. The weakest seedlings turn yellow and gradually die.

Powdery mildew disease begins with the appearance of light yellow specks on the inside of leaves, which quickly spread from leaf to leaf.

Yellow spots on the leaves, which cause them to dry out over time, indicate a possible attack on the seedlings by spider mites. Its presence can be determined by a light cobweb that appears on the leaves and stems of seedlings.

If, when sowing seeds, homemade and poorly prepared soil was used, which did not have enough disintegrants such as peat or sand, then after watering it may silt. Zucchini love loose soil, in which oxygen and water easily penetrate to the roots. If the soil is dense and clayey, then the plant may develop chlorosis due to lack of oxygen in the roots.

Methods to combat yellowness

To solve the problem, you first need to find out the cause. Zucchini seedlings change color and die if placed in acidic soil, so it is better to buy soil at a specialized retail outlet. Young shoots turn yellow when there is not enough light. There is no need to fight this; you can simply move the box with zucchini seedlings to a window where the rays of the sun fall.

In order for zucchini to take root in the garden faster, they need a lot of nutrients. Therefore, you need to add humus to the hole. Adult plants also need fertilizing several times a season.

When there is a lack of moisture, zucchini turn yellow, but they also dry out when there is stagnation of water or when they are exposed to drops in hot weather.

Zucchini turns yellow evenly when there is a lack of nitrogen. You can feed plants with ash; the organic matter also fights pests and reduces soil acidity.

Many problems can be dealt with using folk remedies; when leaf plates become yellow or holes form in them, which is observed with anthracnose, zucchini bushes are treated with Bordeaux mixture or sprayed with a solution of colloidal sulfur. Diseased plants are uprooted and destroyed.

If oily spots covered with a whitish coating appear, you need to stop watering the zucchini, since this phenomenon signals the development of peronosporosis. To treat the disease, copper oxychloride or chemical preparations “Polycarbocin”, “Oxychom”, “Topaz” are used. Zucchini plantings are fed with complex fertilizers, which contain:

• molybdenum and zinc,
• phosphorus and boron;
• potassium and nitrogen.

When there is a significant amount of plant damage by powdery mildew, systemic and contact fungicides are alternated.

Spider mites love to feast on the juice of leaves, and they turn yellow and dry out. To remove pests, they resort to different methods of control:

1. Mix 1 kg of ash and a grated piece of laundry soap into 10 liters of water. The above-ground part of the zucchini is treated with the product.
2. Chopped tops of healthy potatoes are infused for 10 days under a lid. Zucchini bushes are sprayed daily.
3. A decoction is prepared from chamomile flowers and a bucket of water; wood ash and several bulbs of garlic are placed in it. Use it after a week.

Zucchini turn yellow and curl when melon aphids accumulate. Tiny insects feed on the sap of the stems and ovaries, and the plants quickly dry out. To cope with parasites, the beds are sprayed with fungicides “Intavir”, “Decis”, “Iskra”, and treated with infusions of yarrow and tobacco.

Diseases affecting leaves

Downy mildew

The disease is caused by a pathogenic fungus. It is active in wet weather. Many yellow spots appear on the upper side of the leaf blade. Due to the lack of chlorophyll they turn brown. The leaves dry out, curl and crumble. The disease affects the entire plant. Prevention of the problem is to treat the seeds and treat the seedlings with a weak solution of Bordeaux mixture. What to do if symptoms of a problem appear? A sulfur-based composition is used for treatment.

Fusarium wilt

The infectious disease begins from the root system and affects the vessels of the plant. The leaves turn yellow and curl. Within a few days the bush dries out completely. It is important to remove it in time, protecting the rest of the zucchini. Fusarium can be prevented by following crop rotation, using proven seeds, and following the rules of agricultural technology.

Cucumber mosaic

The virus is found on all melons and melons. Its characteristic features are mosaic yellow and white spots appearing on the leaves. The plant is stunted and the fruits do not ripen. The leaves gradually curl. The disease has no cure; its spread is prevented by destroying the affected plants and insects that spread them.

Aphids on plants

Leaves curl when infested with melon aphids. Other signs of pests: sticky honeydew, accumulation of larvae, and the appearance of ants on the bushes. Aphids not only suck out nutritious juices, weakening the crop, but also spread dangerous viruses. Chemical preparations help destroy insects: “Akarin”, “Fitoverm”, “Tanrek”. For minor infections, use folk recipes:

• Infusion of onion peel 100 g of raw material is poured with boiling water (3 l) and left for 5-6 hours. Before processing, bring the volume to 10 liters.
• Mustard solution – 100 g of product per 5 liters of water.
• Infusion of tomato tops or dandelions: 500 g of greens per 10 liters of water, leave for 24 hours.

How to fix the situation

Zucchini seedlings stretch out and turn yellow if they do not have enough light. In case of insufficient lighting, it is necessary to move the seedlings closer to the window. Artificial lighting is no longer used in April, as there is not enough sunlight.

What to do if the seedlings do not have enough nutrition? Feeding is carried out twice: when 2-3 true leaves appear and 10 days after the first. Fertilizers should be in liquid form and with a concentration half as much as usual.

1. The lack of nitrogen can be compensated by using an infusion of ash or nettle, granulated bird droppings or mineral fertilizers such as superphosphate.
2. The lack of macro- and microelements can be compensated by foliar feeding of seedlings with a solution of special preparations - Agricola, Effecton, Gumi, Ava.

Densely planted seedlings with yellowed foliage struggle for light. Seedlings growing in a large box must be thinned out by plucking out excess plants. But it is extremely undesirable to sow zucchini this way. Picking and transplanting delay the development of seedlings for at least two weeks.

Seedlings growing in separate containers must be arranged so that their leaves do not touch each other. If they are growing in small cells or pots, they may also suffer from crowding and lack of nutrition. In this case, the seedlings must be urgently transplanted into larger pots. The optimal container volume for zucchini seedlings is 0.5 liters. In such pots, seedlings feel good throughout the 30 days of growth.

Yellowing of the foliage may be associated with the onset of a fungal disease - powdery mildew. It begins with constantly high humidity. Zucchini requires moist soil and air to grow. But when the planting is dense, when the temperature drops and for other reasons, fungal diseases can begin to develop in such an atmosphere.

Pests can also cause damage to tender plantings. Spider mites are invisible to the human eye. Infection occurs through the soil or neighboring plants. This dangerous pest can completely destroy plantings. Therefore, the appearance of cobwebs on the leaves of seedlings, curled and yellowed leaves, and white dots should be a signal to take immediate action.

To treat ticks, you can make an infusion of garlic, onion, ash, and a solution of ammonia. Insecticides you can use:

• Fufanon;
• Iskra M;
• Aktellik;
• Fitoverm.

Plants are sprayed several times, since mites can hatch repeatedly from laid eggs. After the destruction of pests, weakened seedlings will need increased nutrition. To do this, it is worth using foliar fertilizing with complex fertilizers.

Planting of finished seedlings in the ground for central Russia should occur no earlier than the beginning of June. It is at this time that the weather is suitable for the development of zucchini with comfortable night temperatures.

Direct sunlight all day long is harmful to this vegetable. And although zucchini is a light-loving crop, in strong sun its huge leaves curl and turn yellow. Therefore, the garden bed should be located in a place where the sun shines for no more than 4-5 hours.

You can water zucchini only with warm water in the holes around the root. During extreme heat, you can spray the leaves only in the evening, otherwise the sun will burn through the leaves.

Foliar feeding is carried out only in cloudy weather.

Zucchini leaves curl and change color when there is a lack of nutrients. If there is not enough fertilizer in the ground, the zucchini slows down its growth and drops its flowers and ovaries. In this case, the plant needs to be fed:

• mullein infusion;
• litter;
• fermented grass;
• yeast supplements;
• mineral fertilizers;
• Kemiroy-lux.

With fungal diseases, in particular powdery mildew, the adult plant becomes covered with yellow spots, the leaves begin to curl and then dry out. If urgent measures are not taken, the entire zucchini planting will die. Sick plants, as well as seedlings, are sprayed with copper oxychloride or Bordeaux mixture.

Preventive preparation of seeds will help prevent fungal diseases:

• soaking in a solution of potassium permanganate;
• hardening;
• soaking in a solution of microfertilizers.

Zucchini doesn’t need much to grow and bear fruit: loose soil, watering, light and nutrition. This powerful and fast-growing plant suppresses weeds, retains moisture under its huge leaves, and bears fruit without interruption for several months. Its large, rough leaves are too tough for many pests. Zucchini needs a little care and attention for a comfortable life.

Prevention of yellowing and drying of foliage

To prevent the appearance of yellow spots, it is advisable to use simple preventive methods. Proper plant care can reduce the likelihood of diseases or pests.

Selection of resistant varieties

In open ground, it is advisable to plant resistant and strong varieties of zucchini that rarely get sick and withstand the negative influences of the atmosphere. These include:

1. "Tsukesha." This early ripening variety is grown in different cities of the country. It is unpretentious to the soil and resistant to low temperatures. The main advantage is high productivity.
2. "Baby". An early ripening variety of zucchini is valued for its good yield. But it is grown only in well-lit areas, as well as in warm regions of the country.
3. "Skvorushka" The main advantage of this variety is its resistance to low temperatures and drought, as well as the possibility of long-term transportation.
4. "Chaclun." Zucchini of this variety are resistant to various diseases, but require careful watering, fertilizing and loosening of the soil.
5. "Belukha" This variety is resistant to exposure to bad weather, and is also not susceptible to powdery mildew or bacteriosis.

Choosing these varieties helps prevent disease or yellowing of leaves due to weather conditions.

Proper care and feeding

With proper care, yellowing and dryness of the leaves are prevented.

Therefore, the following recommendations are taken into account:

• high-quality and nutritious soil for planting is selected;
• in case of drought or frost, it is necessary to feed the crop with mineral fertilizers, and it is advisable to choose complex preparations suitable for seedlings and adult plants;
• fertilizing is carried out once a week during the formation of roots and growth of zucchini;
• fertilizers containing nitrogen and potassium are selected;
• in hot and dry weather, regular watering is carried out;
• It is prohibited to use cold water for irrigation.

Protection from insects and diseases

To prevent the occurrence of various diseases, different methods of protection are used:

• Anthracnose is treated by destroying infected seedlings, treating the soil with bleach and spraying plants with Bordeaux mixture;
• to prevent the appearance of powdery mildew, the soil is dug up annually, weeds are promptly destroyed and the remains of other crops are removed;
• protection against gray rot consists of maintaining crop rotation, regular inspection and removal of affected vegetables, as well as applying phosphorus fertilizers;
• Corner spot is prevented by disinfecting seeds, maintaining crop rotation and treating foliage with Bordeaux mixture.

Pest control begins when they are detected. To prevent their effects, provide optimal care to the zucchini.

Zucchini leaves turn yellow for various reasons, which include growing conditions, diseases and pests. In each situation, different control methods are used to prevent the development of the disease, stop the destruction of the crop by parasites, or improve yields by increasing watering.

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Zucchini ovaries turn yellow

When a large amount of ovary is formed, some of it dries out. This is a natural process, because there is not enough food for all the fruits. If a significant part of the ovary is lost, then this is a cause for concern. If the process is not stopped, the harvest will be meager. Why do zucchini ovaries dry out?

Lack of moisture and high temperature

Zucchini is drought-resistant and accumulates moisture in its leaves and stems. But due to a regular lack of water, the ovary turns yellow and falls off. Drying of young fruits is caused by high temperatures up to 40°C. Pumpkins literally boil, become wadded, and the juiciness of the pulp is lost. In such a situation, experienced gardeners organize fabric canopies to protect plants from direct sunlight. The volume of irrigation should be increased.

Pests

The harmful activity of insects is one of the reasons why the ovaries fall off. Aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites live on zucchini. Aphid colonies suck sap from leaves and shoots. As a result, the plant slows down, dries out, leaves and small fruits fall off. Spider mites attack vegetables in conditions of high temperature and lack of humidity. It is recognized by light spots on the leaves, then by the entwining of parts of the plant with cobwebs.

The pest is found in open ground and greenhouses. An exhausted plant loses its ovaries, quickly withers and dies. What to do to save vegetables? In the fight against ticks, the use of chemicals “Iskra” and “Karbofos” is recommended. Traditional recipes are also used. Infusions of onion, garlic, and tobacco are effective. To enhance the effect, liquid soap is added to them.

Lack of pollination

In order for a fruit to form, pollination is necessary - the transfer of mature pollen from a male flower to a female one. This mission is assigned by nature to insects. In cold and wet weather, bees do not fly. Flowers and ovaries dry up without waiting for pollination. Gardeners have to perform the procedure manually. There are no particular difficulties, the main thing is to distinguish between male and female buds. Male buds grow on a long thin stalk, female flowers have a shorter stalk, and a small ovary is visible under the petals.

Early in the morning, the male flower is picked and all the petals are removed. Its stamens are drawn along the pistil of a female flower. One bud is used to pollinate 2-3 flowers, then a new one is picked.

Experienced gardeners know that to attract insects, 3 options are recommended:

• Planting bright flowers next to the melon crop.
• Spraying the bushes with a sweet solution of honey or sugar (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water).
• Cutting off leaves that hide zucchini flowers from insects.

The solution to the pollination problem can be planting parthenocarpic varieties of zucchini. These include “Partenon”, “Cavili”, “Suha”, “Apollo”. Ovaries on plants develop without pollination. The only difference between hybrids is the absence of seeds inside the fruit.

Symptoms of zucchini diseases

The main symptom of most zucchini diseases is tissue cell degeneration. Rot, necrosis, and empty cavities form inside the fruit. Spots form on the leaf, in most cases turning into through holes. Leaves often curl and dry out, which leads to weakened photosynthesis and death of the plant.

When asked why zucchini leaves turn white, the answer is usually the presence of fungal diseases. If they are present, a white or gray coating forms on the leaf plate (usually on its lower side). Columns of pathogenic fungi can often be detected on its surface with the naked eye.

What to feed for prevention?

First of all, replenish the lack of nitrogen and feed the plants with organic matter. Then treat against insect pests. Water the plants with infusions of onion peels and garlic.

• urea;
• boric acid;
• copper sulfate.

The culture is quite good at organic matter, so when planting plants it is fertilized with humus. Adding it to the wells saturates it with useful substances.

Zucchini is low maintenance and unpretentious. They are used very widely in cooking. A summer resident will not go wrong if he decides to grow a crop on his plot. It is enough to carry out simple care techniques and the harvest will not keep you waiting.

Zucchini is a fairly unpretentious crop, which in our area is generally successful year after year. Some specimens may have problems, particularly those associated with yellowing of the leaves.

Selective yellowing in itself is not always a dangerous signal. But it is clear that the rich green color of the leaves is one of the most informative indicators of the health of most country crops

Yellow, like a traffic light, means “Attention!” or “Get ready!”

Why do zucchini turn yellow in open ground? The simplest thing to check is that the watering is correct. You need to water the zucchini:

• settled moderately warm water from a barrel;
• in the morning or evening hours (before 10-00 or after 18-00);
• regularly, based on the condition of the soil (more often in hot weather, less often in rainy weather);
• under the root, trying not to get on top of the bushes (especially the inflorescences!).

Mulching zucchini with dry straw, sawdust or spunbond will help prevent cracking of the top layer of soil, rapid evaporation of moisture in the heat, the formation of surface earthen crusts, as well as the appearance of many weeds in the beds.

It’s much worse if the yellowing of zucchini leaves is associated with the appearance of powdery mildew on the plants or with peronosporosis (downy mildew). In this case, a yellowish coating first appears on the inside of the leaves and stems. An undetected infection in a timely manner can spread to all neighboring bushes in a short period of time and significantly reduce the overall yield.

If even minor yellow spots appear, associated with fungal diseases, immediately treat your zucchini with Bordeaux mixture. Copper oxychloride is also suitable for processing. First, all affected shoots must be cut out and burned outside the site.

It is advisable to carry out spraying against diseases in the morning, on a windless, fine day without rain.

Sometimes yellowness can signal insufficient nutrition of the plant or a systematic lack of sunlight (when planted in constant shade). When chlorosis appears, you should understand by external signs which specific element is missing and eliminate the cause. Iron chlorosis often appears on zucchini.

Once a week, feed weakened plants with complex mineral fertilizers. If possible, eliminate complete shading (at least partially).

Zucchini responds well to nitrogen in the first half of summer, and starting in July they will welcome potassium and phosphorus. We periodically feed our zucchini with a solution of wood ash (natural potassium supplement + many important minerals).

I also advise you to pay attention to the activities of pets on the site. Cats often like to dig up beds, as a result of which the zucchini begins to turn yellow and dry out.

Sometimes in central Russia the weather interferes with the situation. Even in summer, in July, 1-2 cold nights can lead to a sharp yellowing of the ovaries and leaves.

And finally. In some yellow-fruited zucchini varieties, the appearance of yellow spots on the leaves is a common occurrence and is considered normal. In this situation, there is no need to change anything in agricultural technology at all.

Zucchini is very loved by the residents of our country. This product is used in many dishes and helps throughout the year. However, during cultivation, many gardeners are faced with one common problem that can greatly harm the crop - a change in the color of the leaves to yellow. In this case, it is necessary to immediately begin to correct the situation.

Improper watering of garden crops

One of the important stages in growing any garden crop is watering. When performing the procedure, a number of rules should be followed:

1. For irrigation, use only settled water.
2. Irrigation should be carried out in the morning or evening. It is important to keep water off the greens. If this happens, the sun's rays burn the leaves, as a result they curl and fall off the zucchini.
3. Leaves often dry out due to lack of moisture in the soil. Watering must be timely and regular. The amount of irrigation must be determined based on the condition of the soil. It is important to prevent cracks from occurring on the surface of the earth. This harms the bush's horse system. Stagnation of moisture in the soil is also harmful. Excessive dampness causes the leaves to become covered with yellow spots and dry out.

The condition of the plant depends on watering and weeding; when watering, you should try not to get it on the inflorescences and not to flood the bushes from above with water. This is one of the most important conditions when growing zucchini. You need to weed the beds in a timely manner, preventing the grass from depleting the soil in the garden. Gardeners mulch the holes with sawdust or dry straw. The procedure allows you to keep the soil in proper condition and prevent cracking of the soil.

Causes of yellowing leaves

A change in the pigmentation of a plant's leaf tissue always signals that something is wrong with it. The leaves of zucchini are large and powerful. If they are the usual bright green color, there is no doubt that soon, under the leaf mass, nice, healthy fruits will begin to swell and grow by leaps and bounds.

But often they suddenly lose turgor and begin to turn yellow in the middle of the growing season, or even at the seedling stage. To solve this problem, you need to find out the cause.

Cold

Zucchini only looks powerful; in fact, their leaf structure is delicate and loose. The cold, or rather the temperature difference, which often happens at the end of spring and even in the first month of summer, weakens them. Therefore, it is recommended to grow this variety of pumpkin in open ground from June (seedling method - the time of planting seedlings), and in a greenhouse - from the beginning of May.

Watering errors

Big foliage – big “swimming”. Zucchini needs much more moisture than all its garden neighbors, even moisture-loving cucumbers.

But improper watering can also lead to yellowing of the leaves.

It is important to choose the right time for water procedures. It's best if it's early in the morning. As a last resort - evening

But it’s not a day when the sun’s rays, falling on leaves covered with moisture, literally burn them. Thermal burn is a common reason why zucchini leaves become covered with yellow spots.

As a last resort - evening. But it’s not a day when the sun’s rays, falling on leaves covered with moisture, literally burn them. Thermal burn is a common reason why zucchini leaves become covered with yellow spots.

Mineral deficiency

Another common cause of yellowing foliage can be a lack of minerals in the soil structure.

In this case, the leaves of the lower tier change color, but then the process spreads to the entire bush.

Unsuitable soil composition

Zucchini is one of the crops that cannot tolerate soil acidification. If the soil in the area is acidic, the leaves will probably turn yellow almost immediately and the plants will wither. To prevent this, it is necessary to add ash and humus to the soil before planting seedlings in the holes to saturate the soil with organic matter.

Location

How the squash beds are located on the site - this factor also matters. The culture certainly prefers sunny places, but direct rays damage the leaves, which fade and turn yellow.

For zucchini, the ideal location would be one in which they are in direct sun for no more than four hours (with at least 12 hours of daylight). At noon, it is advisable to build an impromptu shading.

Thickening of plantings

Just like leaves, roots need air. Therefore, you should frequently loosen the squash holes to saturate the soil with oxygen.

Yellow leaves of seedlings

In addition to problems with the foliage of adult zucchini plants, the leaves of seedlings can also turn yellow. Even at the stage of its cultivation, it happens that the leaf border around the edge turns yellow, and then the entire plate becomes withered, curls, withers and falls off the stem. The reason is a lack of nitrogen.

Zucchini seedlings need to be fed two weeks after the sprouts emerge from the soil. Nitrogen-containing fertilizer for pumpkin seedlings will save them from problems with yellowing leaves, and in the future will make them more resistant to growing errors and climatic damage.

For zucchini seedlings, you need to use pots of a larger diameter than for cucumbers and slow-growing pumpkin seedlings

If there are no obvious reasons, but the leaves of the seedlings turn yellow, pay attention to the size of the pot. Sometimes the problem can be solved by simply transplanting the seedling into a pot of larger diameter. This is interesting: Caring for cucumbers - study with us

This is interesting: Caring for cucumbers - study with us

Bacteriosis or angular leaf spot

On the cotyledons, the disease manifests itself in the form of small brownish watery ulcers, angular brown spots appear on the foliage, and small brownish ulcers are clearly visible on the fruit, which distort it. Initially, the spots are dark green (noticeable in the morning), then they acquire a brown tint, dry out and collapse, and angular holes form between the veins of the leaf plate. The development of bacteriosis is facilitated by sharp changes in night and day temperatures and high humidity.

General information

Tomatoes came to our beds from warm, sunny Latin America. Tomatoes were brought to Europe only in the 16th century, and at that time they were only an ornamental plant. The very first recipe for preparing a tomato dish dates back only to the 17th century.

In our countries, tomatoes have long been considered a poisonous plant. But over time, the tomato has firmly taken a leading position in our gardens. Various methods have been developed for planting this crop in open ground and in a greenhouse, and growing seedlings. In our climate, in order for tomatoes to ripen, they must be grown only through seedlings.

The main thing for the proper development of seedlings, and then adult plants, is warmth and sun. If the air temperature is too low, the tomato seedlings will first stop growing and then begin to get sick.

The lack of sunlight will lead to the fact that the seedlings will gain very little green mass, will be stunted and weak. Such plants never bear many large fruits and they quickly wither. Therefore, when sowing tomatoes for seedlings in early spring, the seedlings must be given additional light so that they do not get sick.

The culture is distinguished by enhanced root formation. If the bush is not tied to pegs or a trellis, then roots will begin to grow where the shoots touch the ground. Thanks to this, tomatoes can be propagated not only by seeds, but also by cuttings. To do this, planting material is rooted in water.

Tomato seedlings are in dire need of nutrients during the period of active growth. Seedlings need trace elements to produce more fruit in the future. The root system of tomatoes goes deep into the ground in search of food.

Tomatoes need the following elements:

• nitrogen;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• copper;
• boron;
• manganese.

If there is not enough nitrogen in the substrate when growing seedlings, and then in open ground in the garden, the lower leaf plates of the seedlings will begin to dry out and crumble. In this case, the remaining leaves will be very pale, and the plant itself will become lethargic. Those new leaves that will grow on the seedlings will become very small.

You can replenish nitrogen deficiency in the soil by applying ready-made mineral fertilizers. It is possible to add seedlings using folk remedies. Bird droppings contain a lot of nitrogen and can easily be used to prepare a nutrient solution. To prepare the fertilizer, dry bird droppings are mixed with water in a 1:2 ratio. After three days, when the droppings have infused, the liquid is diluted again with clean water at the rate of 1:20. The concentration when preparing this fertilizer should never be increased, as the seedlings can easily be burned.

A deficiency of an element such as potassium can also lead to the leaves of seedlings starting to turn yellow. The main sign of a lack of this element is that the edges of the leaves begin to turn outward and then dry out.

With such symptoms, the soil should be shed with a solution of potassium magnesia or potassium sulfate. You can also fertilize the soil with wood ash. To do this, you need to pour a handful of ash into 1 liter of boiling water and leave for several days. The prepared solution should be diluted in a ratio of 1:5 with water and added to the seedlings.

With a lack of phosphorus, the leaves begin to not only dry out, but red veins begin to appear on them. An ash solution will help replenish the phosphorus deficiency in the soil. Iron deficiency is corrected by pouring nettle infusion into the soil. The main sign of iron deficiency is slow growth of seedlings and yellowing of leaves.

Why are zucchini bitter?

The vegetable has excellent taste. It has just the right amount of sweetness, spice and juiciness. Ripe zucchini has a characteristic aroma. It vaguely resembles the smell of melon, cucumber or watermelon.

It also happens that the taste of fruits can deteriorate, in particular, bitterness appears. It is worth addressing this problem immediately; care recommendations are the main means of correcting the situation.

Improper watering affects the taste of the fruit. Lack of moisture in the soil and prolonged drought lead to the appearance of a bitter taste in zucchini. You need to water the beds regularly, but make sure that the water does not stagnate in the holes.

The resulting lack of nutrients can cause the taste of the fruit to deteriorate. Vegetable crops require regular fertilization with nitrogen preparations and complex products intended for melons, watermelons and cucumbers.

When growing a popular vegetable, it is important to properly care for the plant. Proper watering and fertilizing have a great influence on the taste and quality of the future harvest.

Fertilizer shortage

If zucchini lacks nutrients, then they begin to grow more slowly, flowers do not form, and small foliage quickly turns yellow or lighter. In this case, organic matter or mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen should be immediately applied to this vegetable crop. When applying fertilizers, you must strictly adhere to the dosage, since an excessive amount of nutrients is also harmful to this vegetable crop.

Typically, during the growth of this vegetable crop, ready-made preparations such as “Ovary” should be used for feeding. Less vigorous plants are fed with the following nutrient solution: 30 g of urea, 15 g of boric acid and copper sulfate. 5 g of potassium permanganate is added to this mixture to prevent fungal diseases.

Planting zucchini in open ground

Do zucchini grow in the shade?

Zucchini is a light-loving crop. Planted in the shade, they bloom and bear fruit sparingly. You need to choose a sunny place, with protection from cold winds. For one family, 5-6 bushes will be enough, so you can plant them along the edges where potatoes grow or next to outbuildings.

Favorable neighborhood

You should know that zucchini does not grow after plants such as cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash:

1. It is necessary to allow the soil to recover for at least 2-3 years.
2. And it’s not worth planting zucchini next to these crops.
3. There is a high risk of cross-pollination, which will result in fruits with unpredictable taste and quality characteristics.
4. In addition, when placed close together, vegetables often suffer from the same diseases. The permissible distance between plantings is from 15 m.

Good neighbors are:

• tomatoes;
• radish;
• onion and garlic;
• potato;
• carrot.

Soil requirements

Zucchini is demanding on soil fertility:

• It is better to carry out all preparatory activities in the fall.
• Dig the soil to a depth of 20-25 cm, add fertilizer.
• If you are a supporter of organics, then it would be appropriate to use humus, wood ash, and chicken droppings.
• Among mineral fertilizers, superphosphate and nitrophoska are successfully used at the rate of 1 tbsp. l per 1 m².
• All these manipulations can be carried out in early spring, but autumn preparation is preferable.
• In winter, the process of decomposition of organic and mineral compounds will begin, enriching the soil with nutrients.

Planting scheme

The main rule for planting is no more than three plants per 1 m² according to a 70x50 cm pattern. 3 seeds are placed in each hole 10 cm deep and sprinkled with 4-6 cm of soil. Water generously with warm water. After germination, you need to leave one sprout.

Tips and Tricks for Growing Zucchini

Over many hundreds of years of growing zucchini, many secrets and cunning techniques for successful cultivation have accumulated. Some of them have a scientific basis, while others are the result of long-term observation of the plant.

Advice from experienced gardeners:

1. To attract insects for pollination, flowers are sprayed with a solution of honey and water.
2. If you sow the seeds in open ground in mid-June, fruits will grow that will last until next spring.
3. Effective fertilizers can be created without leaving your garden. To do this, all the weeds need to be poured with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and allowed to brew for 5-7 days. From such “life-giving moisture” zucchini grow by leaps and bounds.
4. If you put the seeds in the refrigerator for 10 hours before germination, they will germinate faster and the sprouts will be stronger.

Sometimes following all the rules of agricultural technology and using secret techniques does not save you from the squash problem - bitterness of the fruit. The reason is the increase in cucurbitacin, a substance found in zucchini. It is usually found in small quantities and cannot be tasted.

Bitterness may appear as a result of:

• cross-pollination when pumpkins or squash grow nearby;
• insufficient watering;
• planting in the shade, lack of sun;
• excessive use of mineral fertilizers.

Surprisingly, bitter fruits are good for health. In India and China they are grown specifically to treat the liver.

How to deal with it

Regarding powdery mildew, the risk of infection appears during damp and rainy weather, when weakened sprouts are most vulnerable. If you do not respond to the problem in time and do not treat the sprouts, there is a risk of losing the seedlings without the possibility of recovery.

To prevent this disease, you need to do the following: soak the seeds in warm water, and then periodically ventilate the fresh plantings.

You should not allow the soil to become too waterlogged, so as not to provoke the appearance of spots on the leaves. This is one of the reasons why this happens. If signs of this dangerous disease appear, you should immediately spray the leaves with a solution of copper oxychloride. A solution of colloidal sulfur will help save the situation; it is taken at the rate of 30 g per 10 liters.

A bush infected with spider mites

The harmful spider mite is sprayed with ash with the addition of soap or potato tops. Another proven folk remedy to combat this scourge is an infusion of garlic, chamomile and 1 kg of ash. All this must be infused for 7 days, then sprayed on the plant. Garlic is very useful in that it can effectively repel various pests, which is why it is planted next to many crops. An infusion of onion peels can also save the plant from this harmful scourge.

Reanimate damaged zucchini from a lack of important nutrients using organic fertilizer, ash or nitrogen-based fertilizer.

To avoid overfeeding plants, use a special complex fertilizer “Ovary”. It will be useful to support the plant with urea, copper sulfate, and ordinary boric acid. All these substances, 1 tsp. dissolve in a bucket of water. It is advisable to add a little of the usual potassium permanganate to this solution to prevent the further appearance of harmful bacteria.