disease free cucumbers

[samseed]

Hi all,its that time again of seeding ,i havnt been lucky with cucumbers in the past growing cucumbers in my greenhouse,they always get mouldy and the fruit doesnt look edible at all.Is there a cucumber that is more resistent to leaf mould?i know its too early to plant them yet am just trying to plan ahead,also are they better off outside than in a hot greenhouse in summer? ta in advance,Andy

[Jamesy_uk]

Is there a chance you can grow them outside the whole time instead of in the greenhouse?, barring another dismal summer there are specific outdoor varities that tend to do quite well.
I think these are what I grew outside in a growbag my first year -
http://www.crowders.co.uk/buy/seeds-...wing-f1-hybrid

[Alison]

It depends on what variety you grow. I don't tend to bother much outside but always grow at least one variety in my tunnel. It sounds like you have a ventilation problem as although I get some leaf mould later in the season I've not found that any variety are particularly bad for it. My main type for growing tends to be Passandra as I find them totally fail safe but there are lots of other varieties and Lemon Crystal are very good for something different.

[samseed]

ye i think i had them in the corner of the greenhouse ,although i have 3 vents in there i dont think it was enough,will grow outside this year methinks,thanks for tips.

[rustylady]

Which variety did you grow Samseed?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Andy, remembering that a grape last year said cumbers are suicidal (How true is that).

The mould you describe sounds more like Botrytis to me as it is affecting your fruit too. When watering don't water over the plant just around them. Before the fruit starts to form place black plastic sheeting over the soil/compost this will help conserve water and raise the soil temp.

And yes there are disease resistant varieties check the web site of any of the supplier's and your sure to find something to suit.

Colin

[solway cropper]

Any chance you could fumigate your greenhouse or at least give it a good clean inside with ***** fluid or similar. These diseases often lurk around just waiting for the right conditions. As others have said, ventilation is important for greenhouse crops and yes, cukes can be suicidal!

[samseed]

Rustylady,i grew marketmore,the fruit got brown spots on it ,i was gonna use a sulphur candle to fumigate all my pots etc as for a fiver this seems the most economical and hassle free way to do it!

[rustylady]

Just checked DT Brown site, and they sell Marketmore as an outdoor variety. Cucumber, Marketmore 76 Organic AGM Seeds

[Scarlet]

I've grown marketmore inside and outside without problems - the greenhouse ones cropped better. They were planted by the door so that they had good ventilation. As the others have said, I would give your greenhouse a good clean and try again.

[Alison]

It's my understanding that outdoor ones are usually fine under cover in this country and can often do better but that indoor ones are rather risky outdoors as they need the extra protection or a longer season.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Sam, you say brown spots? This could be gummosis, was there an amber coloured gum on the spots?

Colin.

[Two_Sheds]

its that time again of seeding ...

... A bit early for cukes?

I grow Real Seeds' mini white cuke outside, it's fab

[samseed]

hi colin,yes they did have amber coloured stuff on them,they were in the corner of the greenhouse next to a vent,

[Potstubsdustbins]

Sam, sounds like gummosis to me, to quote 'a serious disease of greenhouse cucumbers grown under wet and cool conditions. Infected fruits will develop sunken spots through which oozes an amber like gum. A dark mould develops on the surface of this gum.'

Prevention keep the greenhouse warm and ensure adequate ventilation, take care when watering.

Perhaps they got a chill from being so close to the vent.

Hope this helps Colin