Cucumbers looking white

[bonniethomas06]

Can anyone help me with a cucumber issue?

I planted out my outside cucumbers last weekend. They are in a bed which was dug over from grass in May, with lots of well rotted horse manure added, and a handful of blood, fish and bone at the time of digging.

I did as Alys Fowler suggested, and dug a very shallow hole, and then mounded the soil up around the roots which were still exposed, to prevent cucumber neck rot.

It has been lovely weather, and I have watered them once or twice. But I noticed yesterday that half of all of the leaves are now completely white - not yellow - bright white. I really can't think why. They look OK other than that - I can't think of anything I have used nearby which may have caused this?

Any veggie buffs that can give me a clue, I would be most grateful!

[Millymollymandy]

Not some kind of mildew that turns leaves white is it? Otherwise I've no idea.

I've never heard of growing cucs like that either!

Maybe if no-one can answer you could post a photo.

[citizentwiglet]

Cucumber mosiac virus, perhaps? In some cases it can turn the whole leaves white, though it tends to be mottled.

TBH, I wouldn't listen too much to Alys. I love her to bits, but I think sometimes the old ways that my grandads used were the best. I've been doing John Harrison (grows stuff like your grandad) and Alys comparitive experiments this year. Alys' 'cram them in as close together as you can and don't bother thinning them) guide to brassicas is working VERY well, the leaves are providing great shade and locking moisture into the soil, and I find that I'm only picking Cabbage White eggs off the outer plants in the bed (they must be knackered by the time they move on). Her tips on curcubits are NOT, however, working as well as John Harrison's, but I am only basing this on courgettes, which isn't strictly fair.

Just out of interest, what are you growing next to your cucumbers? Are there any plants nearby which might be affecting them?

Or maybe you have Albino cucumbers, and Suttons will be banging on your door with a big cheque very soon..(always look on the bright side, and all that.....)