Help!! Cucumber problem...

[shirlthegirl43]

I got Crystal Apple from Sarah Raven - I think it is the same thing. Possibly a little late for this year though. I am growing some this year but not sure if I can save seed as I am growing a few different types of cucumber.

[momol]

I got my seed from Baker creek seed company I don't know if you are allowed to import them or not, check it out first.
I am new in cucumber planting, it is my first year, I don't know is it still ok to plant now but it does said to be suitable for "short planting season " . Keep in mind if you wish to save your own seed, you shouln't plant more than 1 cucumber ( in 0.5 km radius, if I am not mistake ) or they will cross pollinate each other if let to be open pollinated ( by insects ) and it will spoil your seed. But if you don't plan to save your seed than just go a head.

Momol

[shirlthegirl43]

That's seed-saving out for me this year then - I am growing 5 outdoor varieties and an F1 all-female hybrid (bought at Schipol airport) - Very glad our sons like cucumber!

[sewer rat]

Still okay to sow your cuke seed as it is fast to germinate and puts on growth quite rapidly.

[diddlydoos]

Great! I am going to try and get hold of some - thanks all!! I am currently growing a Mini (the one with the problem) that I bought as a plant to steal an early start :embarrassed: and two F1 female hybrids that look promising. yum!! My girls love cucumber!

[momol]

That's seed-saving out for me this year then - I am growing 5 outdoor varieties and an F1 all-female hybrid (bought at Schipol airport) - Very glad our sons like cucumber!

Shirley, You still can save your seed, but it will be a lot of work... You have to make sure they are isolated ( with a sort of enviromesh enclosure ) and hand pollinate them ( you use this methode if you have more than one cucumbers). But of course you shouldn't collect those from hybride source.
Good luck if you wish to take the challenge

Momol

[angie a]

I read an article the other week (which I now can't find, of course!!) which said that you should never feed cucumbers with tomato food as it makes the tiny fruit turn yellow, & drop off. It's high in the wrong things, apparently. Having lost most of my crop this way last year, I am using only the liquid from my wormery this year. Too early yet to know if it works. What do other people use, & does anyone else out there have the same problem?

[diddlydoos]

Oh! That is EXACTLY the problem I had..... Have fed them today, but not with tomato food, just with the seaweed one. Hope thats OK!!!

thanks so much - I bet thats the answer!!!

[sewer rat]

I started a thread on cucumber feed recently as I came across a specialised water soluble feed for them with the NPK given as 36-0-12 as opposed to tomato feed which is usually about 18-0-36.
I was as surprised as my fellow grapes with the high nitrogen content. Unfortunately I can only seem to find it available in 25kg bags at about £45 a pop but will keep searching

[noidea]

I have been feeding my cucs (some all female thing and marketmore) with tomato feed and they are thriving. In fact they are thriving so much I have had to start giving them away as they were taking over the house.

The wee cucs are growing rapidly.

C

[sewer rat]

I have to admit that last year I fed my three cukes with tomato feed on a weekly basis and they seemed to do very well thank you. This year I'm a bit more wary though, as growing to make a living isn't quite the same as growing for family to eat.

[noidea]

I have seaweed too so would it be better to switch to that before I kill the poor things?

Mines this year are definately beginners luck!

C

[SueA]

I've never heard that about not using tom. food on cucumbers, maybe that's why I don't always get a big yield, but I've not had the problem of them going yellow & not developing apart from the odd one when they first start to fruit which I understand is normal & it's best to take off the first ones as they don't always develop properly. I tend to feed with whatever's to hand & have used tom. food & seaweed feed in the past but this year I've got an organic ready to use feed to try, you just put half a capful around the base of the plant once a week.

[Cutecumber]

Remember that seaweed is not packed full of the main nutrients, it is more of a tonic and growth stimulant. It's good, but it might not be enough for container veg on its own.

[shirlthegirl43]

Caught our cat in the act of 'watering' the outdoor cucumbers I am growing in growbags - will this be harmful and should I now chuck the plants?