Got this from http://www.harvestwizard.com/2009/05/cucumbers_growing_problems_tro.html
Plants wilt and die beginning with crown or older topmost leaves. Verticillium wilt is a soilborne fungus. Light brown streaks can be seen in stem split lengthwise. Rotate crops. Avoid soil previously planted in cucumbers and family members, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes.
Vines wilt suddenly and die starting with one or two leaves. Bacterial wilt clogs the circulatory system of plants. It is caused by bacteria that live in cucumber beetles and is seen often where the soil stays moist. Remove and destroy infected plants before the disease spreads. Control cucumber beetles with rotenone or sabadilla. Wash hands and clean tools with a bleach solution.
OR:
Squash Bug
• Description. Flat-backed, shield-shaped black or brownish bug to 5/8-inch long with triangle on its back.
• Emergence time. Adults emerge when squash vines begin to grow.
• Susceptible plants. Vine crops: cucumbers, muskmelons, pumpkins, squash, watermelons.
• Damage. Sucks plant juices and injects toxin resulting in wilt and death.
• Prevention and controls. Hand pick; keep garden free of debris and hiding places; use trellis to raise off of ground away from bugs; dust with wood ashes and lime; cover with spun polyester blanket or other row cover; plant resistant varieties; time planting to avoid insect growth cycle.
• Biological controls. Tachinid flies
• Natural insecticides. Sabadilla; rotenone dust; liquid rotenone or pyrethrum; use with care, insecticides also kill beneficial insects.
• Plant companions. Plant trap crops: marigolds, radishes, tansy, or nasturtiums nearby.
Squash Vine Borer
• Description. Fat, white caterpillar with brown head. Adult is moth with red, black, and copper rings to 1½-inch long.
• Emergence time. Late spring.
• Susceptible plants. Vine crops: cucumbers, muskmelons, pumpkins, squash, watermelons.
• Damage. Bores into stems, stems or plant wilts.
• Prevention and controls. Wrap strips of nylon stocking around stems to keep adults from laying eggs; mound soil up to blossoms and keep covered; cover with spun polyester blanket or other row cover; plant resistant varieties; time planting to avoid insect growth cycle.
• Biological controls. Trichogramma wasps.
• Natural insecticides. Rotenone; sabadilla; use with care, insecticides also kill beneficial insects. Also diatomaceous earth.
• Plant companions. Plant early summer squash around late winter varieties as trap crop. Destroy infested early summer squash and replant for late crop.
Striped Cucumber Beetle
• Description. Yellow beetle with black head and three wide black stripes on the wing covers; beetle to ¼-inch long. Larvae: slender, white grubs.
• Emergence time. Adults emerge in late spring.
• Susceptible plants. Cucumbers and other vine plants; beans, corn, peas, and flowers of many plants.
• Damage. Larvae feed on roots and stems; adults feed on leaves and shots; can transmit wilt and mosaic virus.
• Prevention and controls. Hand pick; mulch around plants; cover plants with spun polyester blanket or other row covers; plant resistant varieties; dust with wood ashes or rock phosphate; grow plants on trellises; time planting to avoid insect growth cycle.
• Biological controls. Braconid wasps, tachinid flies, beneficial nematodes.
• Natural insecticides. Liquid rotenone or pyrethrum; sabadilla; use with care, insecticides also kill beneficial insects.
• Plant companions. Interplant with catnip, tansy, or radishes.
I'm not sure what makes the plant die all at once like that. My leaves are turning yellow, brown and crispy, yellow spotted, &/or gray dehydrated. But the new growth looks good so far and they are making cucs. Not my pickling cucs, they are long gone!
Good luck with it. You might still be able to plant seeds or established plants and get a few cucs for the Fall. Janet
