Leggy Cukes

[BlueHeather]

Yes it is unheated Wendy ........ I have an unheated porch which is double glazed and new so.. .. would that be warm enough for them when they get a little bigger as a stop gap do you think? Or.. by the sounds of things I have maybe started them off too early. should I wait a few weeks and start over again? Hate this not knowing. but I suppose it is all part of the learning curve

Also are Socrates indoor or outdoor....... thought I may but a couple in the GH and the others outside maybe April / May time?

[Kristen]

I think Socrates are an "All Female" greenhouse type (with mini fruit) and as such would not do very well outside

I suppose it is all part of the learning curve

Although ... perhaps better not to cut your teeth with all-female F1 greenhouse Cucumbers as they are about a quid a seed

[BlueHeather]

Yes they are mini ones .... right I have replanted them in deeper pots but still about 2 inches of stem showing above the soil ......... have taken them out of the prop now and put on a kitchen windowsill for good light . I do have the room to move them to a spare room when they get big or even into the porch in a few weeks when it warms a little... Have decided to stick with them and see how they get on. wish me luck folks and thank you all for your help and comments

[Two_Sheds]

I have planted 5 Socrates cucumbers

It's been said already but ... too early. About 5 weeks too early

[MrsCordial]

I wish I'd read this post before I planted my Wautoma but there we are - more enthusiasm than technique at this stage.

[Alison]

Yes they are mini ones .... right I have replanted them in deeper pots but still about 2 inches of stem showing above the soil ......... have taken them out of the prop now and put on a kitchen windowsill for good light . I do have the room to move them to a spare room when they get big or even into the porch in a few weeks when it warms a little... Have decided to stick with them and see how they get on. wish me luck folks and thank you all for your help and comments

One advantage you have is that with so many plants you can always risk one or two in the greenhouse rather earlier than normal and still have plenty of that doesn't work out. I normally only sow two seeds (1 for growing and 1 as a spare) and end up giving them away as there is only so many I can eat each week. I always grow from seed though as I can then chose the variety I want. Won't be sowing them for a few weeks yet though as I find them much less temperamental if sown later but am guessing you know that now

[BlueHeather]

Hi guys and gals - me again Mrs Socrates
Well I potted on the 5 mini cucumbers Socrates as said above and grew on inside for a few more weeks - moving to outside unheated greenhouse about 5 weeks ago. still have all 5 growing - one is still in a smaller pot and not doing as well put that is for a neighbour and I gave it her today for her to repot The other four are about 18 inches tall at the moment all had flowers and mini cucs appearing. however, as said in my original post I am a real novice to this and the leaves are not looking too healthy. here is a photo of what I have at the moment ...(at least I am hoping I can attach a photo ) . have cut some of the poor looking leaves from the bottom..... I wonder whether I could be under or over watering them - the soil feels damp so didn't water at all yesterday - or it could be something lacking nutrient wise. I know there is a minefield of things which can go wrong but it affecting them all ...

The other quuick question I have is regarding the |Maskotka cherry tomatoes . these small plants look Ok but the leaves are very pale as you will see - still in their small pots as no flowers as yet. any ideas guys???

[Potstubsdustbins]

If the cumbers have been planted up for 5 weeks or so I would think the compost has just about run out of nutrients and a feed would not go astray. Be careful not to get the compost to wet as this can encourage stem rot.

As for the toms much the same advice but also the pots are to small.

[BlueHeather]

potted the toms on into 3'' pots 5 weeks ago - i thought you didn't put them into their grow bags or final big pots until they had flowers?

[Potstubsdustbins]

The best way IMO is to pot on gradually. Like you I start in 3 inch pots but when the roots show through the bottom of the pot I move them on to 5" pots then finally into 6 or 7" pots. I find this encourages growth and gives them new nutrient rich compost on a regular basis.

[BlueHeather]

Thanks will get them on into bigger pots today ..... and start feeding both cucs and toms . yes?