Cucumbers

Last year i grew cue seedlings, potted them on and then disaster - no cucumbers last year

This year i have some good looking, if tall, seedlings, they are just getting their second leaves, How do i avoid the problems of last year?

don't forget to pollinate them and take off the male flowers.

Last year was a bad year - I am sure this year will be better

I plant my cues on top of a little mound of compost - the one thing that cues hate is water around the base of the plants. Feed and water them regularly,mist the plants to stop red spider mites getting a hold and lets hope for some good weather

Pam LL x  

Pam -help-I am growing Marketmore in the greenhouse-the seeds courtesy of Dean-packet says outdoor does it matter?

We found out the hard way about carelessly sloshing the water around the cucumber plants but what a brilliant idea Pam of planting them on top of a little mound!  Will def. do that when mine are big enough to pot on - the just peeped through the surface today

sotongeoff wrote (see)

Pam -help-I am growing Marketmore in the greenhouse-the seeds courtesy of Dean-packet says outdoor does it matter?

We have only ever grown Marketmore outside Geoff - it is a lovely cue   They grow well up a wigwam of canes so don't take up too much space - do you really want to grow them in your greenhouse?

Pam LL x

Yes Pam-it is the space outside-as opposed to the space under cover-but there will only two plants- could grow then in a container ouside with support?

If it was me I would do both  Try a plant in the greenhouse and one in a container outside - see which does best

Pam LL x

Wilco-Pam dont even like them- but free seeds- and OH

Geoff - I also grow Crystal Apple/Lemon cues and a small fruited  variety called La Diva - homegrown cues taste soooooooo much nicer than shop bought  In my greenhouse I will be trying a couple of grafted ones called Fitness

Pam LL x

Pam -this year -really must drag oneself to Woking in July(?)

21st  You would be very welcome

Pam LL x

last year was my first for growing cues I wont say it was a complete disaster for I only got 4 fruits of each plant I grew 6 on my plot don't remember it's name but it was an all female . and last year was wet

Derek

Bunny-I anoint thee- cucumber guru

Hi, Rosa carriola,

I grow cues in a GH bed.

When you say disaster, what do you mean? Did the seedlings die before being planted in their final spot. Damping off can be a problem, water from the bottom to prevent the stems getting wet and use vermiculite on the surface of the pot, this prevents the stems from getting too wet.

When you get to the final potting up stage before planting out use a flimsy pot. When ready to plant out lift the plant out of it's pot, cut the bottom off the pot and replace plant. You can then plant your cues out with the pot which will act as a barrier when watering. Just water the outside of the pot which you plant is in thus preventing the stem from getting wet, hope that makes sense.

Planted in there final spot and then died

Now that is advice I want to follow, Will note it down

The tale is, as my cues did not grow I went to a local farmers stall and bought  a plant. As it grew and fruited it became obvious that it was a marrow

Total novice you see

Next question when i plant these seedlings, from where they are now to  next pot up do I put them in with leaves level with compost or to the level they are - they are a good 3 ins or so tall.

I wouldn't bury them deep like you can with tomatoes as the stems are much more tender and they may rot . If they need some support just put a flower stick in  for now

Pam LL x