White "rice looking" spots on cucumbers

[Yinon]

Hello,
I'm quite new to the Gardening business, I always loved plants, but recently I started taking it to a new level, being more professional and caring.
I found this forum a few days ago, and I decided that the best thing I can do right now, is to take some advice from professionals that understand way more than me.
Any help would be more than thankful. Thanks.

About a month ago, I planted some cucumbers, everything was okay until about 2 and half weeks ago, when both locations that were planted (one in the shade and one almost directly under the sun) started to develop some white spots and small holes. I immediately thought it is some kind of Fungi. most of the leaves were like that, and because they were so young, I did not want to immediately cut them, so I searched for other possibilities. There were no yellow parts or anything yellow, so I ruled out Mineral Deficiencies, maybe those are pests, or it is some kind of a virus - but I'm not sure.

I'm using organic dirt and organic fertilizer made out of worms. I never had problems with this particular brand of dirt and fertilizer. I also must note, that the other vegetables in the garden are not infected.
Additionally, I watered them as usual, so I don't think I over-watered them.

I have attached some pictures of them to this thread, and I'll be more than thankful to receive any kind of help or piece of advice.

Thanks,
- Yinon

 

[Tetters]

Hello @Yinon and welcome to the forum

I think the problem could be thrips - and maybe insecticidal soap would get rid of them if you spray them for a few days. There are of course other products that could help, but soapy water should do the trick. Do let us know.

 

[Yinon]

@Tetters, hello.

Thank you very much for responding to my thread.

I have tried insecticidal soap, on different leaves in different locations, but unfortunately, the spots did not go away.

However, I have noticed that the new leaves are completely immune to the mysterious spots, and only, on rare occasions, new leaves develop similar symptoms.

The following few days, I'll try a "Diseases spray" I bought. I'm not sure if it'll help, but I have some hope.
Next week, I'll probably try different minerals, that maybe the plant is missing.

P.S

When visiting the Botanical Gardens in my city, I had the opportunity to observe some thrips "Inaction". After closer inspections of my poor cucumber, I have concluded that the chance that the problem is thrips is small because I did not actually see any adult thrips, of course, it could be a nest or something, but still, I think it is odd to find a nest without any adults. (Yes, I know thrips can inhabit the inside of a plant, that way they are not visible, but I have checked for yellowing and other indication for thrips in the plant itself and found none).

However, I have noticed a few black ants on the cucumbers for the past days. I have already taken measures, and I hope for a pest-free Garden beginning next week.

Thanks a lot for the help,
I'll keep updating about the mysterious spots.

- Yinon

 

[Tetters]

The spots will not miraculously disappear - but if the new leaves are happy that`s a good result.
In my opinion you are worrying far too much. Over use of chemicals, especially in food stuff is very bad and can do much more harm than allowing nature to take care of it. I allow (mostly) all the insects in the garden to ''get on with it'' and it all seems to balance out by itself.
Having said that, I have been known to go on the warpath in the evening in search of b slugs and snails with a pot of salt ... it always makes me feel better

 

[Yinon]

@Tetters hello,

Thank you for your kind support.

The spots as expected did not miraculously disappear, but the new leaves are completely okay, and a few days ago, I have noticed flowers. (Every day the number of flowers grows). I believe the plant is doing okay, so as you suggested, I'll just let nature "get on with it".

I also was never a fan of using chemicals. Even though, after spotting some ants, I bought a special organic pest control liquid and intended to use it, in the end, I decided to drop the idea, and now, from only spraying water on the plants, the ants have disappeared (forever I hope).

However, if snails, ants, or thrips or any pests, decided to display aggression towards my garden, I shall fight them till the bitter end.

Thanks for your help!