Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Aidy on July 26, 2018, 19:35

Title: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Aidy on July 26, 2018, 19:35
Might be a little obvious but never done it before as we have never had this weather before!
My cukes are slowing dying off so I am thinking is it possible to take a cutting and start a new plant rather than sow a seed?
I guessing its possible has anyone had a go?
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Lardman on July 26, 2018, 22:24
I've been pondering the same as I've been pinching out the side shoots on mine this year and it feels such a waste. I've read somewhere it's the same principal as rooting tomato side shoots, so it's certainly worth a try. I should think any side shoot 4-6" long dropped in compost would be your best bet, if you can keep it hydrated.  Id be tempted to try in water too.

Might give it a try myself  ::)
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Aidy on July 27, 2018, 09:22
Took the the plunge this morning Lardman. I had read on a site to take the cutting first thing in the morning when the plant is fully hydrated, I have put mine in a glass of water in the shade and tonight will drop t in root powder and pot it on.
Time will tell but if it works then it could be something for the future.
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: mikem on July 27, 2018, 09:29
I didn't think that it would work but having searched I found this:-
1. Cut 1/8 inch behind the second set of leaves from the outer tip of the cucumber stem with pruning shears, making the cut straight across the stem in one quick swipe. The stem cutting should be about 3-5 inches long.
2. Pinch off the second set of leaves by hand at the leaf node, just above where the leaf and the stem meet. Keep the first set of leaves intact, because they will help produce roots and supply energy to the new cucumber plant.
3. Dip the cut end of the stem cutting upright into indole-3-butyric acid powered rooting hormone, until the hormone generously covers to just above both leaf nodes from the second set of leaves. Lightly tap the stem cutting on the brim of the hormone container to knock off additional hormone power.
4. Fill a cell starter pack up to the brim with soilless potting mix and insert the cucumber stem cutting upright, about 1/2 inch into the soil, covering the leaf nodes with soil. Place the cell starter pack in a warm location with full to partial sun exposure.
5. Water the cucumber stem cutting daily with a spray bottle set on a fine mist until the soil is completely saturated top to bottom. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Do not let the soil dry out between waterings. The stem cutting will create a new cucumber plant in about three weeks.
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Aidy on July 27, 2018, 09:54
Very interesting MikeM

Cheers for sharing
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Aidy on July 28, 2018, 08:54
Update:  Not looking to good so far, cutting is looking very sad indeed, will leave for a couple more days and see if it bucks up.
This could be a hit and more likely miss type of thing to do.
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Lardman on July 28, 2018, 10:15
Did you put them in soil or in water ? I took a few side shoots off, stripped them right back and put them in water yesterday and they look fine this morning.  They're in a bottle at the bottom of the cuke plant which is shady, warm and probably as humid as Im going to get.
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Aidy on July 29, 2018, 00:08
I too went for water, still looking iffy but not dead!
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Aidy on July 30, 2018, 11:37
Hows your doing Lardman?
Mine have picked right up and are starting to look healthy again. Fingers crossed
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Lardman on August 01, 2018, 07:52
Still alive and green. No sign of any root growth yet but Im guessing that would take a week or so. Im trying with la diva, if it works Id be far happier about coughing up an F1 type or even try some grafting next year.
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Lardman on August 09, 2018, 09:12
Any luck yet Aidy ?

Checking mine this morning it looks like it works !  :D  I'll leave them in water for a few more days, I guess transplant time will be the crunch.

Interesting where the roots have grown from - I was expecting them to be produced from/around a leaf node rather than the stem. It also appears the stems I ripped and damaged rather than cut have rooted the quickest.

Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: mumofstig on August 09, 2018, 09:40
Must be like the squash stem that slugs had half eaten through. The plant didn't actually die, and a week or so later I noticed it had grown more roots just past the slug damage. Now looking as strong as the other ones :)
Result!
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Mr Dog on August 09, 2018, 13:33
Any luck yet Aidy ?

Checking mine this morning it looks like it works !  :D  I'll leave them in water for a few more days, I guess transplant time will be the crunch.

Interesting where the roots have grown from - I was expecting them to be produced from/around a leaf node rather than the stem. It also appears the stems I ripped and damaged rather than cut have rooted the quickest.

I've seen it recommended to strip off some of the outer stem layer of peppers to encourage root growth in both cuttings and if replanting them a bit deeper.
Title: Re: cucumber cuttings
Post by: Aidy on August 14, 2018, 09:37
Sorry Lardman, been away on holiday to Blackpool for the last 2 weeks  :unsure: (had cousins from Canada)

They are growing, I have roots but they dont seem very happy at the mo, still a little pale in pale in colour, I pretty much decided yesterday to stagger the sowing in future.

Will leave them to see how they get on this year just to see.