Cucumber Problem.

[Alan T]

Hi,
Can you please help me with a problem with cucumbers.
Over the last couple of days I have noticed that a number
of my plants have started to wilt and have noticed a light
brown patch on the main stem at the soil level. Plants are approx
18 inch high and just about to set flower.
I have taken the plants out off the pots and examined the compost.
One of the plants had a small white maggot within the compost at the
roots.
Can anybody give me any advise on the pest and its possible prevention?
I have disposed of the plants but would like any advise you could offer.

Best regards

Alan

[bridget mc laughlin]

I would blame the maggot ,he's eatin the roots

[Norm]

The brown stem sounds more like canker, also known as Basal Stem Rot, Soft Rot and Cucumber Foot Rot. If it's just started, put a bit of sulphur on the stem and bank the stem up with compost over the damaged bit (like earthing up) and it will probably survive to adulthood. Not sure about the maggot. Without a pic, it could be lots of things.

[amandaandherveg]

On Friday my 2 cuke plants in the greenhouse were looking a bit droopy, soil in the pots was a bit dry so I watered them. Yesterday morning seriously droopy and sick looking, bottom leaves yellow whilst the rest of the plant looks very floppy. Stems intact, no beasties or wriggly things. Help!

G/H is unheated but they've been happy there until now.

[Alice]

Welcome to the Vine AlanT. I'm not an expert but if your cucumber stems are rotting (are they brown and mushy looking at the point where they enter the earth) they have neck rot. It can happen to any curcubits. One cause is a change in the planting depth when they were transplanted - but sometimes they just do it - no clear cause. I hope not, or the plant is doomed. There's nothing you can do but get started on a replacement. Let's know how you get on. Good luck.

[Norm]

Hi Amanda,
Sorry about this, but it sound like..well....wilt. If it's only the bottom leaves that have gone yellow, cut them off and treat as for canker (see above), It's caused by the plant roots being cold and too wet. Put a heater in the greanehouse if you can and hope for the best. If they do snuff it, cut the stem in half and see if there's a brown ring.

[Alan T]

Cucumber Problem

Thanks for the advice Norm and Alice.I have 2 remaining cucumbers left and i will keep
my eyes open for any change in condition.

Regards

Alan.

[finney]

cucumbers

Hi All,
as i am new here and its my second year of growing i would like some tips if anybody has any,im growing 2 cucumber plants in a greenhouse,the are telegraph improved they are doing very well i have them growing up string tied to the top of the greenhouse,but the leaves are that big,about the size of a football,are they taking nutrition from the cucumber,do i cut them off.

Neil

[The Nichols']

Hi Neil,

In my experience with cucumbers which is limited to outdoor varieties, leaves the size of a football are about right.

If they've stopped growing and the cucumbers are a good size, I'd leave them be. They're not doing any harm and cutting them might cause the plant to divert away from the cucumber to adapt to the lack of light and heat the plant would then receive.

[gojiberry]

Would not cut off the leaves, you can however cut off the tendrils and tie the plants in with string. Apparently it takes quite a bit of energy to grow the tendrils.

Ian

[JO,JO]

cucumbers are a pain i have lost about ten in total, i have three at the moment in a very large container in the greenhouse going guns.so fingers cross that they dont give up the ghost either.