[mclarkuk1]

I planted some telegraph cucumber seeds in a plastic greenhouse early march. The packet the seeds came in say sowing from mid feb to mid april. They will be grown on in a proper greenhouse.

They look very healthy and strong but as i have never grown cucumbers before, i cant help but think they are leggy.

They are getting on for 10" tall now with 4 proper leaves on and what look to be a couple of very small flowers/fruits coming out at the base of the leaf stem and main stem. There are also the 2 seedling leaves. But from the soil to the seedling leaves is a good 6".

Does it sound leggy and if so what are the cons with a leggy cucumber plant.

I would like to know whether its worth re sowing some more before its too late.

Many thanks

Matt

[lucywil]

sounds to me that you have sown too soon, if they are going to be grown on in a 'proper' greenhouse why didn't you start them in there?

you could try repotting it into a bigger pot and plant it deeper, i would resow just to be on the safe side just incase it turns cold again

[mclarkuk1]

I will re sow some i think, ive nothing to loose by doing so.

But what are the problems with a leggy cucumber plant?

[lucywil]

i guess it won't be a strong as a non-leggy plant, i'm sure someone will fill us in soon

[Aunt Sally]

10" and 4 true leaves sounds OK to me.  Can you post a picture ?

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=19476.0

[mclarkuk1]

heres a photo, i put the bottle to the side so you can gauge the size

[RichardA]

doesn't look to bad to me but is a bit early as you will have to keep it warm a good bit longer or plant in a heated greenhouse. I suggest you support it, repot it but a bit deeper and also resow for sucession or in case you lose this one. Much as others have said really. If this was end of May that would be a good plant to have. Well done.
R

[mclarkuk1]

  All good then.

I have 2 more plants the same as that one and i have sown 2 more today.

If i just re pot it into its final 10" pot with some good soil from a grow bag, that will do the job i reckon.

Matt

[Kristen]

You've got a lot of stem from the "ground" to the seed leaves. They probably did not have enough light early on. The newer growth looks fine, so long as you can keep them warm enough (min 10C - which shouldn't be too hard now we are in April) then they will be fine.

I wouldn't pot them on "deep" as they hate to have their stems wet.  They will probably be fine [up to their seed leaves], but they might not, and I can't see them struggling with that length so long as they remain otherwise healthy

You need to tie them (gently / loosely) to a split-cane though - otherwise when they get top heavy they will keel over and that-will-be-that I'm afraid.