Cucumber plant, leaves turning brown!!

[esbo]

It's exactly what happens to you when you get sunburnt: the skin (leaves) go crispy and brown

True but more chance of tench of than sunburn this summer!!
I am not too sure what it is, maybe something due to excess damp
however the fruits seems to be OK but I would like to see some decent
leaves so it can capture the sun and grow more.

[esbo]

Also they are in pots, I will have a look at the roots later to see if they need more space.

[esbo]

I just noticed there were two mini cucumbers on the bit that snapped, it was the 'lead bit' of the plant with
the best green leaves on too. Problem was it was dangling from the pot and I tied it up slightly which allowed it to swing in the wind. Lesson learned.

[lottie dolly]

don't worry about the bit broke of,as the plant usually throws up several more stems

[rustylady]

Your pots do look a bit on the small side Esbo. Cucumbers get to be quite large plants. Any special reason for growing in pots instead of in the ground? BTW, I remember you said you are in Nottingham - could you add that to your profile please, then it will show up on your posts.

[esbo]

Your pots do look a bit on the small side Esbo. Cucumbers get to be quite large plants. Any special reason for growing in pots instead of in the ground? BTW, I remember you said you are in Nottingham - could you add that to your profile please, then it will show up on your posts.

I didn't think the plants were that big and the problem seemed to there when the plants were smaller.
I don't have a big garden so not a lot of space to put them, I am pretty much going to have to make a bed in the lawn I think so I have some grass to walk on to get to the tomatoes. So I have not quite decided on the layout. Also I turned the pots over and had a look at the roots, they did not look
too congested really, must have another look lol. And I have been watching the Olympics lol

[esbo]

I have just been thinking that it might have been something in the compost which caused the problem.
I say that because I reported them using some of my own 'compost' which was basically my old turd
half rotten down, I know one pot had a lot of that turf compost in it and that seems to be doing the best,
there is actually grass growing in the pot!!
The ones with the most brown leaves seem to have more shop bought compost.
I bough a few cheap bags of compost they might be the problem, they may have has some sort of virus or something.

[veggiechicken]

I say that because I reported them using some of my own 'compost' which was basically my old turd half rotten down, .

Sorry Esbo, but this made me laugh!! I know you meant Turf really

[esbo]

I think my leaves may have improved a bit, I have some photos so I will have to compare them, I don't think I have any new brown or yellow on the leaves, some brown bits have turned white so the feed and epsom salts may have helped, but I need to to compare, the pics side my side to be sure. Or it might be due to better weather, more sun less damp and rain. I think damp leaves are more prone to problems.


I also sprayed my courgette leaves, which were white with a milk soloution, which is supposed to help kill the white stuff (probably mildew)

[esbo]

Sorry Esbo, but this made me laugh!! I know you meant Turf really

Yes the 'd' and the 'f' keys are dangerously close together!!
But plants do seem to like old turds anyway.

[veggiechicken]

For one moment I thought you had been reading this http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ook_15473.html

[leonmc0708]

Just to update - I have left mine a little more shaded for the last 10 days and removed all brown/scroched leaves so as to work out wether this was the problem.

All the leaves on the cucumbers are now green and healthy looking - my conclusion is that this was the problem.

[esbo]

Hmmmmm update on mine, I am not sure if they have improved or not, I thought they had because the rain had blasted a lot of the brown off so they looked greener overall, however I am unsure if things have improved, I tried comparing some photographs I too but as they were from different angles and distances that was a bit difficult.

Anyhow I have put one in the ground in a fairly sunny position, that might have been a bad move after reading the previous post, but it's a bit late now lol, however I can still find a way of shading it more
with some sort of cover or whatever, indeed they are (my 3 cucumber plants) now under a cloche ( clear plastic) that should help keep them warm and grow faster (I hope).

Interestingly the one which is the best of the lot may have been the most shaded, less afternoon sun anyway but more morning (fences both sides, east and west) there is also a tree on the west side near it. However it could be other things such as different compost/soil.

I noticed when I transplanted it that the roots were not short of space as they were not to the edges holding all the soil (some soil fell away) so can't really have been the post size.

However I also have two chilli plants one in a big pot and one in a smaller pot, the plant doing best is in the bigger pot, when re-potting the smaller one I noticed a lot of roots so it will appreciate a bigger home.

Unfortunately both seem to big for my cloche but I may repair a taller home-made cloche and put them in there. I am also considering taking them back inside onto a sunny window sill.

I will have to see how it goes and do a bit more reading up.

I guess I can move one 'scorched' cucumber plant in a pot to a more shaded spot and see how it fairs compared to one in the ground in a sunnier spot.

[esbo]

Nutrient disorders of greenhouse Lebanese cucumbers (Agfact H8.3.3) | NSW Department of Primary Industries

Whole lot on cucumber problems here but as always the symptoms often look like other things.

[esbo]

I read a few places saying potassium deficiency causes scorching, I have given them some tomato feed so there should be potassium in there.

The problem for me with the too much sun theory is well I we have not see a great deal of the sun over the past couple of weeks so they much be getting scorched by grey clouds and overcast skies!!

So as the forecast for tomorrow is 'mainly sunny' I expect my cucumber plants will be a heap of brown dust by tomorrow evening!!! We shall see!!