[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

They have started to wilt, and look limp.

Is this the end, or is there any known remedy?

Why are these things so prone to death?

[m1ckz]

its a bit early yet  they dont like a change in temp

[mumofstig]

They are fussy beggars when the conditions are right, but would have thought they would struggle at this time of year, anyway - unless you are growing them indoors?

[Aunt Sally]

Sounds like the end.

I won't be sowing mine for a couple of weeks yet. I a heated propagator in the greenhouse.

[Kristen]

They have started to wilt, and look limp.

Is this the end, or is there any known remedy?

If they have been over-watered (is the pot "heavy" when you pick it up compared to a similar sized pot filled with compost from the bag?) then you might be able to dry it out and get it to recover. But if it is stem rot then I doubt you have a chance, sorry.

Why are these things so prone to death?

Is it one of those £1+ per seed varieties? because if so my theory is that the answer is right there!!!

[Christine]

So far as I have seen cucumbers have more reasons to die than live. You've been told wet, cold and early. They also do dry or hot as well sometimes.

[sunshineband]

Cucumbers appear to be genetically programmed with a self destruct gene ... any excuse and they are off.

Could also (amongst the range of possibilities) be poor quality compost perhaps?

I must admit I haven't found any noticeable difference in the survival rate of the pricier varieties, personally though 

[lettice]

Bit early to have already sown cucumbers in some parts, but see you are on the south coast like me.
I sowed my Burpless yesterday in the greenhouse, my normal sowing date for them.
I sow some outside ones in pots mid April.

Never enough cucumber seeds in a packet, but over the years all the seeds have grown successfully.

[DD.]

Please don't look upon this as "we told you so", but concern was expressed nearly six weeks ago when you said you'd already sown them!

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=118660.msg1390147#msg1390147

[3759allen]

agreed, too early.

i've started one off inside to get a bit of an early, but the others won't be sown until the poly is hot enough to germinate them in there.

i found last year that you get a far healthier plant and better crop if you sow later.

[TheWhiteRabbit]

So if I understand correctly you've had them in an unheated polytunnel?  I've had my thermometer in mine last week and the highest temp was 34 degrees and the lowest was 1 degree....that's a hell of a difference in just one week.

I've sowed mine but they won't be venturing into the PT until it's 10 degrees at night.

[Beetroot Queen]

I sowed outdoor ones in my hot head rush weeks ago.

They got shoved in the freezing cold porch when the bedroom was needed and to my disbelieve they look great just setting third leaves. Not sure what I will do with them now but hey they are green and its freezing in the porch. No heating, quarry tiled floor. Freezing 

[Beetroot Queen]

This was 8 days ago. Still going really well, but I know they are destined to die. 

[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

They are still hanging on.

Not done a lot in 3 weeks, but alive

[Beetroot Queen]

Mine are worrying me they are reaching for the stars