Help: Cucumber leaves are changing shape

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Posted by mek23 none (My Page) on

Sun, Jun 22, 14 at 16:40

Hello! I have two areas in our garden where I am growing cucumbers. Just recently, the leaves have started drastically changing shape! Instead of the regular broad leaf, the new leaves are more elongated in the middle. Help! The leaf is the same color and does not seem damaged, just deformed. I am hoping it is not cucumber mosaic virus.

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RE: Help: Cucumber leaves are changing shape

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Posted by jean001a 7 Portland OR (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 22, 14 at 20:47

Why would you think tht might be virus? Perhaps herbicide?

Let's see a picture of more of the vine/plant, please. include normal leaves.

RE: Help: Cucumber leaves are changing shape

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Posted by mek23 none (My Page) on
Sun, Jun 22, 14 at 21:59

Thank you for your reply. I am just guessing at the mosaic virus diagnosis because the leaves are deformed. Also, my runner beans for sure have some type of mosaic virus, and I think they are all ruined. I am not sure if that is something that can spread between species or not? We don't use any herbicide in our yard or garden and the placement of the garden is pretty far from our neighbors. This same thing happened to my cucumber vines last year planted in a completely different location and completely different seeds. This is such a puzzle, but I am hoping they are not ruined. I am conflicted between taking out the affected vines and trying to save what I can or seeing what happens. The picture below shows the vines as they started. The picture of the deformed leaf is the newest growth. I will try to get some pictures showing the whole area tomorrow. Thanks again for brainstorming with me!

RE: Help: Cucumber leaves are changing shape

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Posted by bman123 7b/8a DFW TX (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 23, 14 at 1:00

It appears as if those "deformed" leaves are just baby ones. Looks the same as my cukes, so I wouldn't get too concerned. As the leaves mature they fill out into a more round shape. Good lookin plant!

RE: Help: Cucumber leaves are changing shape

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Posted by mek23 none (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 23, 14 at 14:47

That would be fantastic if they were baby ones. I hope that is the case! The thing is the new mature leaves are also T shaped instead of heart-shaped as the vines started out. The bigger leaves have a distinct T shape as they grow out and don't change to the heart shaped ones pictured above. The picture below shows the difference of the leaf shape. The one on top is what is growing now, instead of the heart shape pictured below it. So bizarre!

RE: Help: Cucumber leaves are changing shape

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Posted by howelbama 7 NJ (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 23, 14 at 14:50

I wouldn't worry so much about it as long as the plants are growing and producing...

RE: Help: Cucumber leaves are changing shape

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Posted by loribee2 CA 9 (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 23, 14 at 15:24

Looks to me like a very healthy cucumber plant. Put it this way, it looks healthier than mine do every year, and I get overrun with good tasty cucumbers.

RE: Help: Cucumber leaves are changing shape

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Posted by annew21 7b NC (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 23, 14 at 20:37

Do you have more than one plant? Is it possible that the more T-shaped leaves are actually a different variety of cucumber? Sometimes you get a seed or two in a packet that are not what they are supposed to be.

-Anne

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