Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder

Tracydr · September 5, 2011

This is a new disease which has been recognized in AZ and Mexico since around 2006. It has caused significant decrease in melon, cucumber and other Cucurbit crops. I was hit hard this summer and only had about 10 Armenian cucumbers off of 6-7 plants, one lemon cucumber. It causes a yellowing which looks like chloriosis but doesn't respond to iron treatment. ( we have iron deficiency in the heat of the summer as a common problem due to our high pH)
It's spread by whiteflies. I really didn't notice any whiteflies, maybe a couple but I did have a few aphids. Really, no significant pests on my cucurbits except the lemon cucumber. It had aphids but was well away from the Armenians in a completely separate garden.
Wondering if anyone has ideas on how to prevent this? I'm getting ready to rip out my Armenians and replant. I'm also getting ready to plant some fall pickling cukes. Really want some pickles. I've never been able to grow real cucumbers in AZ and I hope this disease doesn't cause yet another reason for crop failure. This is my first time trying a fall crop.

September 5, 2011	#1
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	Cucurbit Yellow Stunting Disorder This is a new disease which has been recognized in AZ and Mexico since around 2006. It has caused significant decrease in melon, cucumber and other Cucurbit crops. I was hit hard this summer and only had about 10 Armenian cucumbers off of 6-7 plants, one lemon cucumber. It causes a yellowing which looks like chloriosis but doesn't respond to iron treatment. ( we have iron deficiency in the heat of the summer as a common problem due to our high pH) It's spread by whiteflies. I really didn't notice any whiteflies, maybe a couple but I did have a few aphids. Really, no significant pests on my cucurbits except the lemon cucumber. It had aphids but was well away from the Armenians in a completely separate garden. Wondering if anyone has ideas on how to prevent this? I'm getting ready to rip out my Armenians and replant. I'm also getting ready to plant some fall pickling cukes. Really want some pickles. I've never been able to grow real cucumbers in AZ and I hope this disease doesn't cause yet another reason for crop failure. This is my first time trying a fall crop.