Is all lost?

[LizyDrippin]

Hi all,

I think my courgettes have mosaic virus

They only have a couple of leaves each but they're getting patchy, it's as if the leaves are going thin inbetween the veins,

If it is , then no doubt it will spread

Same thing happened last year but it was almost the end of the season, not at large seedling stage

Can they be saved? If not is it too late to start again and what's the chances of it happening again? Could the seed be infected?

So many questions, does anyone have the answers

Liz

[SarzWix]

It's not some thing I know a lot about, but there's a bit of info on the link below. Cucumber Mosaic Virus - Frequently Asked Questions - topical advice

it sounds like the virus can keep going on some very ordinary garden plants and then be transferred by aphids. I don't think it would have been the seed that was the problem. It might be worth investing in a resistant wariety, such as Defender, and keeping the plants covered with fleece or enviromesh to keep the aphids off.

A Google search comes up with lots of pictures that you can compare your plants too, to check that it is Moaic Virus, and not just them being too hot/cold, wet/dry or windburn which can all cause problems in the leaves.

[Paulottie]

It is much more likely that you did not sterilize equipment and glasshouse. ***** fluid and rubber gloves essential is you have had virus problems before. That is if it is mosaic virus...

Often CMV can be mistaken for hunger; plants that have damaged roots from periods of drought or sitting in water can't take up nutrients. (often wilt during day another sign) Apart from that Plants that are healthy - quickly and well grown in the consistant warmth- will resist viral attacks much better.

ps...looked at you location expect it is still quite cold there.

[HayleyB]

My yellow courgettes have pale leaves on a couple of plants that I can't put in the ground until next week. It's a lack of nutrient so I fed with tomorite and it has picked them up again.

[zazen999]

I've never had a courgette whose leaves didn't look like they had something at most points - they are very tetchy. I just take each leave off as it looks rough and bin it.

[Fat Bob]

Some of my courgette leaves look a bit orange.

Is this a deficiency?

They seem to be fruiting fine.

[LizyDrippin]

Thanks for the replys

I've given them a feed, just in case it's that, and cut off the "bad leaves". they're only little just over 4/5 inches, they're still inside on my kitchen windowsill, in biodegradeable pots, it's the fact that the yellow patches have gone translusantly thin rather than just turning yellow that has me worried

I'm not that keen on courgettes but I do love my squashes and I don't want it transferring to them

It's a wait and see