It's my first year growing Cucumbers and I am in desperate need of help!

I grew two good looking plants from seed, every thing was great till the end of last week. I think they had been out since the last week of May, they certainly didn't go off straight away..

They have just gone droopy and well it's probably too late to save them but I don't know what went wrong. I don't think they went dry, yet I can't imagine having over watered them either. To put things into perspective, I have also planted two Pumpkins in the same bed using the same methods and they are doing fantastic.

Are there any common mistakes growing Cucumbers? :confused:

Hi crashmepleas, this may help you :)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingcucumbers1.shtml

It's my first year growing Cucumbers and I am in desperate need of help!

I grew two good looking plants from seed, every thing was great till the end of last week. I think they had been out since the last week of May, they certainly didn't go off straight away..

They have just gone droopy and well it's probably too late to save them but I don't know what went wrong. I don't think they went dry, yet I can't imagine having over watered them either. To put things into perspective, I have also planted two Pumpkins in the same bed using the same methods and they are doing fantastic.

Are there any common mistakes growing Cucumbers? :confused:

I find cucumbers the most difficult and fussy plant to grow. They hate being too hot, too cold or too wet. The most common way to kill them is overwatering, but looking at them in a funny way can sometimes finish them off. :)

My solution is to plant far more than I will ever need. At the moment, four of my plants are still alive. Experience has taught me to expect them to go yellow and die at any time, so I'm not getting excited just yet.

If you find a successful way to grow the blighters, please take the time to let me know how.

I agree with Sibon - have had terrible results with Cucumbers and don't normally manage to get them beyond seedling stage - until this year that is !

Here's a top tip. Cut the bottom out of a small-ish plant pot ... then fill with earth and transplant your seedling to the bottomless pot. Then 'plant' the pot in it's final position and when you water, water the ground around the plant pot - never water in the plant pot. Hopefully that makes sense !

good tip! Thanks! :D

Hi, you say you planted them out, I always grow cucumbers under glass in a shaded greenhouse. I also plant them either in a large pot with good compost or in the greenhouse bed. So far so good, for mine, but last year they looked a little sad as yours are, but I left them and they came back and produced some wonderful fruits, maybe yours will come back, put some glass around them to keep them warm and moist. Good luck.

I am thinking it might be over watering, although it's sheltered against the wall, so doesn't get the full strength of the rain... I want to have a little dig around tonight and see what the soil is like in that area, it's a new bed to me.

They are supposed to be outdoor varieties! If the soil looks ok I might try covering them..

Thanks for the advice so far.

I had a look the other day, they certainly don't seem boggy, maybe underwatering or they don't like my soil, oh well, probably a bit late now to start some more? As they seem well and truely dead! Will try the plant pot idea next time!

I got some great results in grow bags sheltered against a wall. I watered once a day and just let them get on with it. Now I am thinking it may have been beginners luck! I too will try the pot idea next time.

Thanks

After reading this thread at the beginning of July, I was rather proud of my self as my single cucumber plant that I had brought from the garden centre was thriving.......I've now found out why.....its a courgette.....which is why it didn't die when I looked at it the wrong way. Bugger.

After reading this thread at the beginning of July, I was rather proud of my self as my single cucumber plant that I had brought from the garden centre was thriving.......I've now found out why.....its a courgette.....which is why it didn't die when I looked at it the wrong way. Bugger.

And, on the contrary. I've scowled at mine, overwatered them, underwatered them and yet I've got two magnificently healthy six foot high plants.

I'm looking forward to a cucumber glut.:)

You might want to look up some courgette recipes, they really know how to produce:)

there's only me that likes them!
I've even got co-joined twin courgettes, if only Esther Ranzen still did that funny shaped vegetable programme.....so, roasted/fried/ in a casserole....and what else can I do with them??

Its hit and miss with me and cucs, this year I have 2 out of 3 left, I have found the quickest way to kill them is to get water anywhere near their stems, the best way to water is to get a 500ml pepsi/coke bottle cut the big end off then push the narrow end quite deep into the soil and water through that.

After reading this thread at the beginning of July, I was rather proud of my self as my single cucumber plant that I had brought from the garden centre was thriving.......I've now found out why.....its a courgette.....which is why it didn't die when I looked at it the wrong way. Bugger.

hilarious ! :hihi:

Nigella does a nice courgette & chickpea filo pie :P