My cucumbers are sprouting!

[bikermike]

Only a few days after I put them in
they were still loops when I looked last night (ie the leafy end hasn't come out of the soil yet).

Presumably I should get them out of the propagator now - or should I wait until they have leaves?

Then I assume it's sunniest place in the house? Is it worth keeping a cover over them to limit water loss?

[nickdub]

I'm growing mine on by giving them light during the day in the conservatory, then bringing them back in at night for warmth. Don't get the soil too wet, as they don't use a lot of water when they are small - if it feels damp to the touch its plenty wet enough.
One tip, they will grow on quickly when the weather warms up, so don't forget to check the roots to make sure their pots are big enough then.

[Thelma Sanders]

It's very early to be sowing cukes, and they do have a tendency to die for no apparent reason, so good luck with them.

Mine will stay in their packets til at least the middle of April

[Martin H]

What Thelma said. Cucs only seem to have two speeds: either little-shop-of-horrors full speed ahead, or keel over and die. If the worst happens, you still have six weeks or so to start again...

[ESBkevin]

I started mine in a propagator 12th Feb and with grow lights they are now in 4" pots and about 6" tall.

I have 6 so I'm hoping I can keep two of them alive to get them in the soil later. They look very impressive, unlike all the flower types we started the next week.

If they die I will start again.

[TrysHard]

I try and resist sowing too early - Cukes early Apr - Toms Mid Mar.

They seem to catch up.

Especially when the greenhouse warms up.

[bikermike]

Well, they still aren't dead...
The reflector thing (which I have to confess I was skeptical about) seems to have made a difference, they are not leaning anything like as much

[nickdub]

Just keeping them growing is the main thing. Mine are a bit leggy, but they are just producing their second true leaves, so I'm happy so far with the progress.

[Jonny.D]

I'm waiting a few more weeks before sowing mine in the propagator as I had a few die on me last year when we had a drop in temperature.

Also factoring in that this year is colder than last.