[flowerlady]

What causes this ... I have 8 healthy looking plants all together ... then suddenly there were 6  :?  

... their stems just 'evaporated' the roots looked healthy enough! :cry:

[DD.]

Probably stem rot.

Don't over water & keep water away from the base of the stem.

[flowerlady]

[gobs]

Draught. Now this might sound funny, but not intended, if temperatures go down like recently they did in most parts, some plants are unable to utilise moisture from cold soil, cucumber is one of those. So they can wilt. As if in draught.

[DD.]

They haven't just wilted, gobs - the stems have 'disappeared', i.e. rotted!

Not too late to get some more going, I've done it in June. Garden centres may still have some in.

If it's any comfort, Jack Frost ran off with 6 of my outdoor ones & I've had to re-sow.

[gobs]

I know, where you are coming from, and you probably right, that a lot of things escape the attention of most of us.

A recent post of Richy's just drown my eye to how many diseases are commonly called stem rot, but then stem rot on its own is as rare as hen's teeth, if at all exists, other parts of plant also will be affected, especially at death stage.

[DD.]

but then stem rot on its own is as rare as hen's teeth

[chickchick]

my bestest 'baby' in the garden (my beloved cucumber plant!!) has got droopy, wilty leaves but healthy buds will it be ok? i love this plant is was like a triffid and i talk to it everyday

[lincspoacher]

I asked a professional grower about this.............

Cucumber stem rot is very specific. Its a fungus that normally only enters via  wounds  such as a broken leaf stem. Small groups of black pycnidia develop on the infection sites, and small pale green spots with yellow fringes appear on the edges of older leaves, then the centres of those spots become dry and pale.

Usually only affects cucumber stems when the fruit is in contact with the ground, but can be triggered by  warm, wet conditions, excessive use of manure, heavy pruning or wild fluctuations of temperature.

[mashbintater]

My best cuc has taken a sudden nose dive, the stem remains rigid but the leaves have wilted and gone floppy. I think it's due to the blustery wind we're having. Although I have it largely surrounded by polythene with a small opening for ventilation, it's succumbed. Anyway, I've brought it into the living room and put it by the large window, will it recover or will I have to start again?  

[mashbintater]

They seem to be making a comeback, not as hopeless looking today, fingers crossed   .

[DeadlyNightshade]

I have exactly the same problem, I am down to 4 plants now
And I was so proud that I had managed to raise them myself this year without any casualties.

Without having any real clue I thought maybe my enthusiastic watering might be responsible: I sort of just poured a big puddle round the plant..  

[muntjac]

over watering could be the answer .only water at night ,make sure they have ventilation .if you senn any sign of problems use a vinegar spray . 1/2 cup to a couple pints .vinegar has antiseptic qualities    " werks for me "

[cooperman]

had a "wilty" problem, put it down to over watering, not done cu's before from seed, assumed they needed well watering but I think its the reverse, I will now water from the bottom only......

ps havent watered for a week and they seem to have perked up a bit, lost one plant tho.....

[mashbintater]

Soooooooo chuffed to say that both my plants are making a come-back. Remember the plant I chopped the curling-up leaf off that went circular? It's heads above my best plant  . My best plant is growing more steadily, lower leaves are yellowing so not watering them for now. They're both still in my living room  
Thanks for the advice