Tomato / cucumber problems

[River Cottage]

Hi,

My friend and I have both just started out planting a few seeds.

My toms have grown about 2 inchs and have now fallen over, this is also similar with my friends cucumbers.

What have we done wrong ??

They are now lying on the soil.

Any thoughts
Regards
Richard

[selfraising]

Do you think you could have overwatered them?

[TEB]

Is this indoors, greenhouse or outside

[piskieinboots]

assuming they had enough light - it sounds like 'damping off' which is a disease that can affect seeds.

Damping off is heartbreaking because it will affect everything, it is best to chuck the lot out, including the compost they sat in, as it will/can spread.

To prevent damping off, ensure that everything you use is clean, good ventilation is required also - and never use rainwater for watering seeds.

RIP RC's Toms and Cukes

[zazen999]

Luckily there is still bags of time for toms and cukes.

[piskieinboots]

indeed RC - set to and sow more - chop chop

[River Cottage]

They are still alive but the weight seems to have caused them to fall over.

Its as if I should have a support for them ??

How do they normally look at 2/3 inchs ??

[piskieinboots]

They are still alive but the weight seems to have caused them to fall over.

Its as if I should have a support for them ??

How do they normally look at 2/3 inchs ??

if they are still alive, how about potting them on and when you do so plant them in the new compost up to the first leaves?

This is what I would do

[vicky]

They may have got too leggy (grown too tall from being indoors - warm but not enough light) and just got top heavy...mine are looking a bit like this!
Re pot deeply as Piskie says as they can grow extra roots out of their stems, as you re pot later you can continue to bury the stems, it gives a sturdy plant eventually!

[River Cottage]

Excellent we will both try this approach over the next few evenings.

Regards
Richard

[esrikandan]

My earliest sewn toms are about 12-18" tall now - very floppy when I potted them on. Gave them a bit of vine trimming and tied them in. Too big to be indoors and too tall for the cold frame so they have to take their chances outdoors now.

[Florence Fennel]

Hi Richard - when I visited a nursery in Sheffield on Sunday and asked to look at the cucumber plants, the nurseryman said I couldn't because they were still in the packet and that I had planted mine too early. He recommended May, but "too late" was the cry from me. Mine are looking like I imagine yours do, so I am also taking the tip from piskie of replanting up to the first leaves, though I'll need to plant about 4 feet deep! good luck with yours.