Cucumber problem

[jayrr1]

Hello,
I have been experiencing an issue with my cucumber growing the last two seasons. We have tried our hardest to be successful with cucumbers and it fails every single time. First, we started off by planting seeds. After this sprouted, I would notice there would be holes in the beginner leaves, the holes would get more and more until the whole plant was gone.
Finally I tried a different area to plant. I got about three plants to start looking healthy but recently noticed some of the leaves to have empty spots where something had maybe eaten it. Then I noticed certain branches of the cucumber to wither up. Then the plant just lost its vigor and I tore it up. We had flowers on it but never got a single cucumber. Any suggestions on what the problem could be? We used to grow cucumbers with no problem in the same exact beds and would have huge crops.

 

[Anniekay]

I suggest you start them indoors under grow lights and when they get four adult leaves, then plant them out in rich garden soil. Put up a trellis for them to grow up onto and give them plenty of water. Cuces are hungry feeders and drinkers

You probably have earwigs in the soil and they will completely devour baby seedlings over night.

 

[Botanic vista]

Hi , jayrr1​

If you're having trouble with your cucumbers, here are some practical steps you can take to address the issues:

1. Start Indoors: Begin by starting your cucumber seeds indoors under grow lights. Transplant them into your garden once the seedlings have four adult leaves. This gives them a better chance to establish themselves before facing outdoor challenges.
2. Soil and Watering: Ensure your garden soil is rich and well-draining. Cucumbers need a lot of nutrients, so consider adding compost or organic fertilizer. Water them consistently, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
3. Use a Trellis: Provide a trellis for your cucumber plants to climb. This supports the plants, improves air circulation, and helps prevent ground-dwelling pests from reaching the leaves.
4. Pest Management: It's likely that earwigs or other pests are eating your seedlings. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of your plants or set up traps to catch earwigs. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests and remove them by hand if necessary.
5. Sunlight and Planting Location: Ensure your cucumbers are planted in a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you've previously had success with cucumbers in the same beds, it might help to rotate your crops to prevent soil-borne diseases and pests from building up.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Slugs attack mine, I have had a branch wither in the same way, and found slugs had eaten all the green outside layer of it, leaving the woodier inner, low down where it was thick enough I thought it safe. It is the sort of thing I always plant far more than I need, plant the right amount and I will lose enough that I don't have enough. Plant too many and if they all survive I can give them away, and with a bit of luck get something back later that I didn't have before.

 

[Botanic vista]

Hi , jayrr1​

If you're having trouble with your cucumbers, here are some practical steps you can take to address the issues:

1. Start Indoors: Begin by starting your cucumber seeds indoors under grow lights. Transplant them into your garden once the seedlings have four adult leaves. This gives them a better chance to establish themselves before facing outdoor challenges.
2. Soil and Watering: Ensure your garden soil is rich and well-draining. Cucumbers need a lot of nutrients, so consider adding compost or organic fertilizer. Water them consistently, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
3. Use a Trellis: Provide a trellis for your cucumber plants to climb. This supports the plants, improves air circulation, and helps prevent ground-dwelling pests from reaching the leaves.
4. Pest Management: It's likely that earwigs or other pests are eating your seedlings. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of your plants or set up traps to catch earwigs. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests and remove them by hand if necessary.
5. Sunlight and Planting Location: Ensure your cucumbers are planted in a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you've previously had success with cucumbers in the same beds, it might help to rotate your crops to prevent soil-borne diseases and pests from building up.

I’d like to add a few extra tips that might help ensure an even more fruitful harvest:

Choose the Right Variety: If you've faced issues in the past, it may be worth trying a more disease-resistant cucumber variety. Varieties like ‘Marketmore’ or ‘Boston Pickling’ are known for their hardiness and productivity.

Mulch to Retain Moisture: Adding a layer of organic mulch around the base of your plants can help regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weed growth. Just be sure not to pile it up too close to the stem to avoid encouraging rot.

Proper Spacing: When transplanting seedlings or sowing directly outdoors, remember to give your cucumbers enough space to grow. Overcrowding can lead to poor airflow, which creates a perfect environment for fungal diseases like powdery mildew.

Companion Planting: Consider planting cucumbers near beneficial companions such as marigolds or nasturtiums. These can help deter pests and attract pollinators, ensuring better fruit set.

Regular Harvesting: Don’t forget that cucumbers grow fast! Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more, and letting cucumbers get overly large can impact the flavor and cause the plant to slow down in production.

I hope these tips help improve your cucumber-growing experience. Gardening can be tricky, but with the right adjustments, your plants will thrive!

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