Growing cucumbers

[workhorse]

As you were so helpful with regard to tomato growing, I thought I would ask a similar question with regard to growing cucumbers. Can they be grown in growbags, or would a pot similar to that used for growing tomatoes be better.

Do they grow similar to tomatoes with regard to rooting; in other words can you earth up with cucumbers, or is this a no no.

James

[shirlthegirl43]

Mine are treated the same as my tomatoes. However this thread from last year shows that they should not be fed the same as your tomatoes.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...feed_8298.html

[Chiana]

With regards to "earthing up" as I understand it, cucumbers, squash, etc must not be treated in this way as it can cause their stems to rot.
I'm sure someone with better knowledge will be along shortly to advise you/correct me!

[workhorse]

No Chiana, you could be right. I am but a mere novice getting all the info I can from those who have far more knowledge than I. Accumulative knowledge will always give you an answer that you're looking for.

James

[Alison]

One of the biggest problems I've had with cucs has been the stems of young plants rotting off. I get on best with ones not sown until early April and then grown in large pots in my unheated greenhouse. Last year had great sucess with Petita (I think!) and I always grow a apple cuc also. Also tried some ridge ones last year which did well but I can't remember their name. Have always fed in the same way as toms and it's appeared to work but will read the thread ref'd above to find out more later.

[shirlthegirl43]

Now I am doubting how I usually treat my cucumbers!!! Maybe I don't actually earth them up as such but I am sure they grow nobbly bits the same as the tomatoes. Brain not working well today.

I do know that when they get put in their final pots I plant them so that they are on a bump in the middle of the bucket. Then I hollow a bit of soil near the edge of the bucket to water into. This stops water sitting round the stem and causing rotting.

Sorry if my earlier post was misleading - was actually speaking to my dad at the same time as typing and not paying sufficient attention. (note to self - give vine full concentration when replying to posts)

[SarzWix]

I usually plant my cucumbers into their final pot just a little deeper than they were, and I've never had a problem with stem rot... As long as you don't plant them deeper than the seed leaves, they do seem to send out extra roots from the stem. I usually plant mine into old 'flower buckets' which are a bit deeper than standard 'tomato pots' and they did really well last year, even though the tomatoes were pants!

Oh, and I water into the tray they're sitting in, rather than the top of the pot, maybe that helps too?!

[sewer rat]

Here's my input for what it's worth. Been growing cukes for years and have yet to have a poor crop - they seem to like me. I only grow cukes for protected growing (i.e tunnel or greenhouse) and have stuck with the same three F1 all- female varieties. These are Topsy, Pepinex 69 and Femspot.
I plant them either in growbags (2 plants to a growbag that I would put 3 tomato plants in) or last year in the soil in my tunnel. They are trained up an 8ft cane and side shooted regularly, tying the plants to the cane every two to three days depending on growth (mine grow like triffids). I start the seed in a 3" pot and when I plant the cuke, I sink the 3" pot it came out of in the ground about 3" from the plant. This is what I use for watering and feeding. Never earthed up any of my plants. I water every second day and when the plant starts fruiting I water every day, and once a week I put a half handful of 6X Organic Chickensh*t pellets in the pot and water through them - they dissolve over the space of a week.
That's it, nothing more, nothing less.
Hope this helps

[veg4681]

Here's my input for what it's worth. Been growing cukes for years and have yet to have a poor crop - they seem to like me. I only grow cukes for protected growing (i.e tunnel or greenhouse) and have stuck with the same three F1 all- female varieties. These are Topsy, Pepinex 69 and Femspot.
I plant them either in growbags (2 plants to a growbag that I would put 3 tomato plants in) or last year in the soil in my tunnel. They are trained up an 8ft cane and side shooted regularly, tying the plants to the cane every two to three days depending on growth (mine grow like triffids). I start the seed in a 3" pot and when I plant the cuke, I sink the 3" pot it came out of in the ground about 3" from the plant. This is what I use for watering and feeding. Never earthed up any of my plants. I water every second day and when the plant starts fruiting I water every day, and once a week I put a half handful of 6X Organic Chickensh*t pellets in the pot and water through them - they dissolve over the space of a week.
That's it, nothing more, nothing less.
Hope this helps

Sorry but is the same approach above also applicable to outdoor cukes (Marketmore)? Thanks just making notes on my cuke doc.

[nemo]

cuecumber

every year i grow market more cucumbers outside after the last Frost's they do very well and will keep growing until the first really cold weather finishes them off

[kittykat8]

where can I get femspot seed grew one of these plants last year and had loads of cucumbers off it. also bought some seeds off ebay it maybe a con or not nice story about the Cucumbers seeds not making it to the end of the trial due to it producing like an F1 varity , resistant to desease and you can grow the seeds from the plant. It is male and female and to grow under cover whats the best way of pollinating this plant

marion

[Matt.]

For the last two years I've grown marketmore but inside my greenhouse. I start them off in small pots and transfer to a growbag (two per bag) when big enough. I've put an old trellis inside the greenhouse that the cucumbers can climb up and be tied to. I think this works well for not putting strain on the frame. They just get watered and occasionally fed with tomoato feed. Everything has gone well so far!

[sewer rat]

where can I get femspot seed marion

Mr Fothergills and Nickys Nursery both have Femspot seeds