wilting plants

[greenfingers007]

Hi all,

Potted up my chillies mellons and cucumbers a couple of weeks ago, they seem to be growing but are very weepy and droopy have I done something wrong, or is this normal?

Thanks in advance

[Eyren]

Wilting could mean too much water (roots drowning) or too little - it's been very hot during the day lately, at least under glass, which is where I assume you are keeping them. I would stick a finger at least an inch down into the compost and see how it feels. If it's dry, water them; if not, stop watering so often!

[zazen999]

Unless they got really cold in which case, they aren't happy and probably won't make it.

[gojiberry]

I agree that it is either the cold or a water problem and I would guess at to much water. You have to try and balance the amount of water to the temterature they are being kept at. The higher the temp the more you will get away with a little bit to much water.

Ian

[Nicos]

Have they just grown too quickly and become leggy??- maybe they need more light and less heat????

- are they inside the house or in a heated greenhouse???

If they are in the house -are they in the draught from the window at night????

[Two_Sheds]

I bet it's over-watering

[greenfingers007]

they are in my unheated greenhouse, I gave them a good watering when i put them in a few weeks back, can I do anything to help them.

Please help my babies....

[zazen999]

Far too cold I am afraid.....did you harden the chillis off [they might yet survive] but the melons and cukes...are not tolerant of cold at all.

[greenfingers007]

bringing the melons and cucumbers in the house today hopefully they will come back again, fingers crossed anyway. thanks for the advice. just out of interest when would be a good time to put them out?

[zazen999]

Realistically, when the cold nights have gone.

Nobody knows....the main way of doing this is to put out after the last frost date for your area is.

Mine were hardened off as soon as they germinated by going outdoors all day, and then were put into a insulated cold frame [plastic from ikea and previously used for storage], at the weekend, and they are doing fine so far. BUT I have sown these as early possibilities - my main melons and cukes and courgettes will be sown at the end of April. They soon catch up and even overtake the early sown ones. If they get frosted, I won't be too downhearted.

My main potential...my blacktail melon....is staying indoors until my greenhouse comes, and then will be cossetted as I really want to try and get some melons this year!!!

[greenfingers007]

Cheers Zazen999, well I will bring them indoors now and if they don't survive I will sow some more at end of month.