Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: parsley on March 29, 2013, 06:17

Title: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: parsley on March 29, 2013, 06:17

I transplanted some cucumber seedlings into paper pots the other day and now they are hanging on to life by the skin of their teeth, resembling tumbling tomatoes more than outdoor cucumbers  :unsure: I take it I am best off ditching them and sowing again? no point wasting ground on weak plants huh  :( my poor babies!

Title: Re: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: allotmentann on March 29, 2013, 06:33

I believe cucumbers have a nasty habit  of doing that at all stages of their lives! As we are so early in the season, I would just sow more. You could start them off in paper pots and save the first risky transplant. :)

Title: Re: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: parsley on March 29, 2013, 06:45

So it could be an ongoing problem then  :( I'll sow some more today and ditch what's flopped. The tomatoes I did the same day are loving their new pots and they are exactly the right height to pop into the containers I've got to hang them up. It's such a good idea!

Title: Re: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: BabbyAnn on March 29, 2013, 07:01

I find cucumbers like virtually all squash and courgette plants do better when sown much later and preferably timed when warm spring weather is forecast - I don't start mine off until at least the 3rd week in April-2nd week in May when we sometimes get an unexpected warm spell and not only do they germinate quicker, but the sunny weather will boost growth.  As these are outdoor cukes, I think you would be better to wait until then anyway (and keep an eye on the weather forecast to take advantage of it) 

Title: Re: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: parsley on March 29, 2013, 07:04

Thank you :) things seemed to grow so much better when I had a greenhouse *sigh*

Title: Re: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: mumofstig on March 29, 2013, 08:37

I wouldn't try to sow cucumbers yet either, much too early unless you have a heated greenhouse  :nowink:

Wouldn't that be lovely (except for the cost :ohmy: ) 

Title: Re: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: richyrich7 on March 29, 2013, 09:26

Quote from: mumofstig on March 29, 2013, 08:37

I wouldn't try to sow cucumbers yet either, much too early unless you have a heated greenhouse  :nowink:

Wouldn't that be lovely (except for the cost :ohmy: )

Way too expensive these days to heat a greenhouse, We have two greenhouses but I've not put anything in yet, far too cold at night  :(

Title: Re: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: Totty on March 29, 2013, 14:25

Cucumbers need as little potting on and root disturbance as poss. Anything to encourage them to live!
Mine are all sown now but are in a heated greenhouse. I sow them in trays, then pot them up deeply upto the seed leaves in gritty multi purpose, and only water from below which reduces the chance of rotting off near the surface. For plants destined for outdoor life, you need to wait another month at the very least.

Totty

Title: Re: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: simonwatson on March 29, 2013, 16:18

A cucumber's favourite habit is to die when you least expect it. As others have said, at least it's early in the season and you can sow again.

Title: Re: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: parsley on March 29, 2013, 16:48

Looks like I'll have to sow some more then.....oh if I must :D

Title: Re: Floppy cu seedlings
Post by: Mark's Sussex Allotment on March 29, 2013, 22:20

 I have the same problem Parsley. I think I'll ditch mine too.

I hate having to kill plants, but hey it's more compost.