Cucumber watering

I was given a cucumber plant about ten days ago, its around 3ft tall, healthy with cucumbers growing on it (inch and a half) one is in flower. I was told it was planted into peat free compost and although it appears to be doing so well, the compost always appears to be dry, even after watering. When I water it I'm careful not to get any on the plant at all and after a second or two the water just leaks from the bottom of the pot like a tap.

Shoul I risk re-potting this plant into a medium that will hold more water for longer, or would it be better to find a tray to stand the pot in and water from the bottom?

Many thanks in advance.

Steve...

 

Hi Steve. I reckon the best thing is as you say, to stand the pot in a tray. That way the water will filter it's way into the compost. I have the same problem with one of my Rhododendrons, the water just runs down the side of the pot, and away. I'm not sure though how wet cucumbers like it to be. Maybe someone can add more.
Cheers...freddy.

 

I agree. Sounds like the compost needs re-hydrating, and watering from the top probably won't achieve that. Standing it in a tray of water for a hour won't induce basal stem rot (famous last words!)

If you then find watering it the next day works as expected its cured.

 

When i water my greenhouse i go round with the watering can,rose into pot count to 3 and move on ,be it tomato ,cucumber,pepper or what, and i have never had any problems with stems rotting,

 

I've always sat my greenhouse cukes in trays of water once the plant gets really well established. This year, I did plant them in 'mounds' in the pot so that the water would not sit around the stem - it has worked so far and no stem rot. The sitting in a tray of water has been great and I have used this the last few years.