[Lily]

I planted 4 cucumber seeds from Dobies. They are still indoors.
1 is dead and the other 3 are about 6'' tall. There are some greyish very dry patches on the leaves, the affected part is papery like.
I'm worried that they are going to die like the other one.
What should I do?

[slowef]

sounds like mildew to me think you can get stuff from the garden centre to help but might need to start again. Buy plants that are resistant to it if possible think its F1 type
S

[Lily]

These were F1 expensive seeds.
I'm a bit gutted!

[WG.]

It does sound like powdery mildew but it seems very early in the season to me.   Anyone else seen an attack in April / May?   Perhaps you could post a picture please?

Diluted milk is supposed to help but whether this is preventative or curative, I don't really know.   You might want to try; dilute milk with 9 parts water and spray the whole plant (not on a sunny day).

Your Profile doesn't mention whether organic is important to you; doubtless there are various non-organic treatment.

[Trillium]

Powdery mildew, contrary to it's name, comes from the plant being too dry and not having enough air around its leaves. Water it well, don't leave it sitting in a puddle and spread them out - but not in direct sun. Cukes are sensitive to sunscald. They prefer to grow behind something taller. And if you can put a bit of sand on the top of the soil of the pot, that'll help keep any damping off fungus under control.

[WG.]

So can powdery mildew happen at any time, Trillium?

[Lily]

Thank you!
I'll try the sand bit and will plant more cucumbers seeds.
My oldest son eats at least 1 whole cucumber a day, more if I let him! That was my first reason for growing veg in the first place and cucumber in particular!