Why cucumber leaves become sticky like glue: a dangerous pest has settled in the garden
Sticky cucumber leaves indicate that the crop is under threat due to the activity of one pest.
Sticky coating should not be ignored. It occurs when aphids appear in the garden bed.
The tiny insect feeds on plant sap. In return, the aphid secretes a substance called "honeydew."
The insect takes away resources from the plant, which causes the quality of the harvest to drop. Up to 16 generations of aphids appear in one season. If you ignore the problem, then by the end of summer the cucumbers will be covered with insects.
How to get rid of aphids
The easiest way is to spray the plants with a strong stream of water. You can also use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.
In addition, aphids have natural predators. They can be attracted to the garden to increase the effectiveness of insect control measures. Aphids' enemies are ladybugs and lacewings.
