Cucumber Advice

[berksmike]

I'm growing outdoor cucumbers (Marketmore) in my heated greenhouse as pushed for space in the garden.

Up until now they have thrived.. Each plant about 1.5' high with flowers and strong side shoots.
Two have now deteriorated in rapid succession.. One has died and the other looks very poorly.
It begins with yellowing and wilting of the lower leaves which seems to spread up the plant.
Theres no evidence of mould/mildew and the rootball of the dead plant seemed ok.
Temperature pretty constant and I've only been watering them little and often.

Any ideas?

Mike

[berksmike]

Do you give them a foliar spray or water the pot Lesley?

Many thanks

Mike

[berksmike]

Thanks Lesley

Ill give it ago...Didnt think of a salt deficiency as they were dispatched so quickly but you learn something every day!
Was sure some wee beastie or root rot was the culprit!!

Mike

[Alice]

The Epsom salts saved my tomatoes last year Berkmike. If magnesium deficiency is the problem you will see instant results. You can add a little salts directly to the compost and water it in, and also spray them over as a foliar feed. I sprayed mine daily for a week and from day 1 results could be seen. Otherwisw they were dying rapidly.

[Alice]

I remember telling you about it last year Alice.

You did indeed Lesley and grateful I am. As I said, they were dying in front of my eyes but as soon as they had their first dose, they improved rapidly. I've got a supply in the cupboard at the ready.

[berksmike]

I'm off for some epsom salts in the morning...
May take some pictures for before and hopefully after!
Only hope its not too late

Many Thanks

[Paulottie]

Mike, I had another possibility for you to mull over. I may well be wrong, especiallly in light of assembled experiance, but I had a problem in the greenhouse border a few years back with verticillium wilt. The plants died very rapidly under similar circumstances. Look inside stem and see if its got brown bits.

[mrskp]

apologies for being a complete numpty, but where does one buy Epsom salts ? i only "see" what i'm looking for when out shopping.

[Paulottie]

Boots/a pharmacy?

[Alison]

Got mine last time in Boots although I had to ask where they might be. Didn't cost much as I remember.

[mrskp]

Many thanks. Will definitely go and investigate. Had no luck with my one cucumber plant last year (but am trying again) and will need something close to hand for the stupid number of toms that i'm trying this year.

[Alice]

You'll get Epsom salts in any chemist Mrs KP or as magnesium sulphate in the garden centre. If you're growing lots of toms, I would spray them over at the first sign of yellowing. The ratio is as L J says, which works out at 2 teaspoons per pint of water if your using a little hand sprayer. I've got mine at the ready.

[mrskp]

I'm off out to get some today Alice. Some of them look as if they could do with a bit of a pick me up already. My fault for sowing so early.

[mrskp]

Got it, nearly broke the bank at £1.29/200g tub.

Duly applied at prescribed dosage to toms and given the cukes a bit of a spray for good measure. Now sitting back watching for miracles to happen !

Will report back !

Many thanks kind peeps.

[berksmike]

Sadly I wasn't able to save my cucumber plant!
Could've been Mg deficiency or root rot.
Fortunately my other two plants seem to be ok and are fruiting.