cumcumbers

I have talked about this once before because last year they failed because i put water directly on the plants but this year i have put three in just in case something happens.

I have cut the bottoms of some three inch pots and they are away from the plant and i water via the pots however one is not looking to healthy and one leaf has gone yellow somebody replied when i brought this subject up before and said not to water the to much how often should you water them ???.

 

Are they in a grow-bag or pots? I grow my cucumbers in pots, and water them everyday, making sure they don't sit in water all he time, but the water in the saucer is taken up by the next day. If they are in a bag, test the soil with your fingers to see if it is too wet. Do the bags have any drainage hole in the bottom? I aim for moist, soft soil, rather than soggy.

 

They are in pots but someone told me they do not need much water ?? so i dont know are you suggesting to put a saucer underneath the pot and fill that rather than the small pots within the larger pot which are at the side of the cucumbers approx six inches away from the plant

I look forward to any advice because i want to grow some this year after i killed them off last year ah however it was not funny at the time.

 

Hi Golfer!
I've lost more cucs due to overwatering by our son when we are away on holiday than due to anything else.

The answer to "how often to water?" is that there isn't any fixed period. It all depends on the size of the plant, the temperature and the container. Keep them moist but not wet.
You should not be watering inside the small pots as the purpose of these is to keep the base of the main stem from becoming too wet and rotting.
If you can stand the pots in trays about 2 inches deep you should top up the trays with water and when you feed the plants feed from the top. "Water from the bottom feed from the top" was what my father taught me.

 

the fruit of the cucumber needs lots of water to swell up... mine are pretty thirsty, especially in the height of summer. Like Dave W says, it depends on the conditions. I stand mine in saucers because if I didn't, the water would drain straight away, and I'd have to water much more. I fill the saucer with water, check the next day, if it is all gone, I top it up. If its still standing in water, I drain it away, leave until the next day, then put less in the saucer, constantly changing the amounts depending on heat, etc.
I have lost cucumbers through no shade, though. I have got some greenhouse shading to fix up, as they can suffer from too much direct sunlight.

 

Thanks for the information because i need to be spot on this year i bought some plastic saucers today and i shall follow the advice from you both i will check every day regarding how much water is left in the saucer what do you feed yours with is Miracle feed okay and i expect one does not feed them for a while ???ps and i will feed from the top.

 

I use Tomorite and feed when I feed the toms.
General advice seem to be to hold off feeding until the first fruit has set.
I can't comment about Miracle Feed as I'm unfamiliar with it.

 

I had problems growing cucumbers last year and ended up buying 2 plants so this year I planted about 8 seeds but I am starting to loose some again.
I tried an outdoor variety called Marketmore and did have 2 plants with the start of a 3rd leaf.
I have a greenhouse but as I lost them last year beacause of a cold spell in May I have been looking after them on a windowsill. I found them bent over one morning weekend at the stem the leaves looked ok but it would not hold up.
They were only about 3-4 inch high should i have supported them with fine canes or does it sound like overwatering?
I have planted 4 more seeds and left them in the greenhouse hope it won't be to late.
My 2 suviving indoor F1 plants are now in the greenhouse on a saucer of water should I pray daily for them.

 

Well i did not grow them from seed last year i bought establishe ones however when watering early on i just put water all over the plant and that was not so good because i killed them off.

This year i bought three established ones again and i am taking the advice given by others on the forum ie (Dave and Honey Bee) i have now put saucers underneath and pour the water into the saucher and i also empty the saucer the following day if the water is still there because they must have had plenty then the next day will give them a drop more.

My fingers are crossed at the moment seem okay but i will not be happy until i see one growing ah maybe someone else can advis you because i am a novice at these plants.

 

Slugbug - Your floppy cucs sound like a case of over watering rather than lack of support. Aim to keep them just damp but not wet. You can always add more water if the plants look a bit dry, but it's a different matter trying to get rid of excess water!

 

Golfer I've just re-read your earlier post about the small pots and I misunderstood what you were refering to.
The system you describe is I think one with a small pot located away from the stem and sunk into the soil or compostfor the purpose of watering.
The system I had in mind was one in which the young plant is placed in a bottomless pot which is then sunk into the main pot by a couple of inches. This keeps the base of the stem up and away from the damp compost in the main pot and helps prevent rot. Standing the main pot in a tray and watering from the base also helps.

Sorry if my reply added to your confusion :confused:

 

I dont grow cues anymore but I used to grow them every year.
First I found the f1 all female types very suseptable to cold nights, one cold late spring night and the plants would go limp at the first sign of sunshine the next day usually there was no way back from this, just a long lingering death.
There mustn't be a check in growth, so a steady temperature, and above 60f at night is best, if lower keep dryer when young, but keep up humidity during the day.
A later start is better as the conditions become easier to achieve.
As the plants grew I used to top dress with compost as the plants grow roots from the base of the stem, and a good nitrogen rich feed, the comfrey or nettle brew spoke about in other sections is really good once the weather really warms up.
Hope this helps, but in this uncertain climate of ours I think the early stages atleast will always be difficult for the amateurs that we are with limited resources.

 

Dave
you did not cause any confusion what i have is the cucumbers in a small pot and placed in a larger pot and i cut the bottom off the small pot which holds the cucumber, and about four five inches away another small pot which again i have cut the bottom off and (trays underneath the big pot) which i have been putting the water in.
I am doing as you have stated and how your father taught you (water from the bottom and feed from the top),and by the way i am very happy about the advice because the plant ie (three of them) are showing seven cucubbers so thanks again for all the tips.

 

Wow Golfer - you cues are doing better than mine!!!!!! They are suffering from the cold, I think!! :rolleyes: As for feed, I just give them organic Tomato Feed - its easier, one watering can does the lot, even the flowers!!!!!

 

Honey Bee
Well i am sure yours will be fine maybe its a bit of luck on my part but the weather has been cold and windy its played hell with the kidney beans.