What causes loofah leaves to turn white?

Loofah plants are sometimes found to have leaves turning white, and the specific whitening conditions are not consistent, so the causes differ as well. Some are due to diseases, some are due to the plant's own condition, or due to the growing environment, and then the diseases also differ, with different symptoms. When the loofah we grow develops white leaves, it is best to observe the symptoms first so we can know what the cause is. Only by finding the pathogen can we choose the appropriate solution.

1. Viral disease

The virus disease mainly infecting the plant is actually Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus, which mainly harms plants of the Cucurbitaceae family. Viral disease is a soil-borne disease, but human field activities can also cause friction between leaves and stems, spreading the viral disease, and seeds can carry the pathogen. So it is best to disinfect the seeds before sowing. Soil where diseased plants have been grown cannot continue to be planted and should be rotated with other crops. Alternatively, the soil should be finely sprayed with chemicals for disinfection and exposed to the sun.

2. Plant aging

When the plant approaches aging in autumn, you may find that the leaves sometimes turn white, and some even become hard. This is a sign of aging. After all, loofah is an annual plant, and its leaves age easily. Sometimes some aging leaves also show whitening. You can appropriately supplement some nitrogen fertilizer to avoid leaf aging in the early growth stage.

3. Poor ventilation

Sometimes the growing area is somewhat shaded, or the planting field is somewhat low-lying, with high humidity, excessive planting density, and a closed-in environment that cannot provide good ventilation and light penetration, which will cause white leaves. In the same year, you can water on some ferrous sulfate to improve it, or use Yelübao. For potted cultivation, you can water on a little yogurt. This can reduce the symptoms. In the future, you can plant in a place with sufficient sunlight and good ventilation.

4. Loofah powdery mildew

If you find that the white leaves are covered with a white powdery substance, then it is powdery mildew. For diseases, prevention and control should be done early. It is best to use a 1000-fold dilution of 20% triadimefon emulsifiable concentrate for spray control. Generally, it should be used once every week to avoid phytotoxicity, but it should not be spaced too long either, as the effect will be poor. Using it continuously about 3 times gives an obvious effect.

5. Loofah white spot disease

Sometimes the surface turns white, but it is white spots, not a whole patch. If there is mycelium on the back, it can be confirmed as white spot disease. As soon as it is discovered, promptly use 50% carbendazim combined with a 1500-fold dilution of 50% benomyl wettable powder for spray control together. Using a single medication has no obvious effect. About 2 to 3 applications can cure it. In production, there are also many pesticide options to choose from.

When loofah leaves turn white, first observe what the manifestation is, identify what the root cause is, and then use the corresponding method to improve and control it. This way, the plant can be kept healthy and grow well.