Why aren't my cukes growing?

Discussion in 'Greenhouse Growing' started by roger06, Jun 18, 2015.

  1. roger06

    roger06 Gardener

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    Hi

    I started cucumbers from seed in a propagator then put them into grow bags in my green house once they were a couple of inches tall about six weeks ago (early May). One died within a week and the other four just aren't growing.

    Please see pic. The one on the right was bought as a plant, and OK was a little bigger went it went in the growbag but that's romping away fine as you can see. The one on the left is from seed, and is the biggest and healthiest of the four but is doing nothing.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks
     

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  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Sorry to say this but early May was too cold for cucumbers, we had frosts here in Surrey (not sure where you are), and many cold nights down to just above freezing. In an unheated greenhouse, cucumbers are notorious for sulking once they have suffered a cold night, they can take weeks to recover and start growing again.

    I only just planted mine last weekend, having them indoors (in our house) over-night until then. I reckon that was the earliest I could do so, and mine have started to romp away already. Another thing is to grow them a bit bigger before planting out, tiny seedlings are more prone to the cold, once they get to a decent size in active growth with flowers is the time to plant out.

    You might want to cut your losses and buy another few plants from a GC.
     
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    • roger06

      roger06 Gardener

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      OK thanks - lessoned learned! I think I may have been more like mid May and I am right on the south coast just below you in West Sussex. But indeed, nights were chilly (and still are for mid June).

      I've got two growing from plants so I may just concentrate on those, chuck the ones from seed and replace them with chillies I've got coming up in pots.

      Thanks again!
       
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      • Spruce

        Spruce Glad to be back .....

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        sorry to say you may be too late with seeds as its the middle of June and they need a long growing season to fruit , buy a couple of plants is best and double your chances
         
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        • hydrogardener

          hydrogardener Total Gardener

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          My cucumbers went into the greenhouse in late April, along with the tomatoes. Our nights are not very warm at that time of year, but I only turned the heat on if the night temperature was going to be below 40F. The cool night temps did not seem to slow them down at all, as I have already picked some cucumbers and expect to make pickles next week. The vines close to the peak are really enjoying the intense light, as I notice the small fruit developing much more quickly than the fruit lower down.

          [​IMG]
           
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          • Diane Davies

            Diane Davies Apprentice Gardener

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            I did well with my cucumbers this year, except 1 which I too planted out in s heat free greenhouse at the end of May. I'm in the northeast, the one I planted out was a crystal lemon and I'm afraid to say that is sulking very badly and just will not grow.
             
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            • Spruce

              Spruce Glad to be back .....

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              I think it hasn't been warm enough consistently to get them going, it should of picked up in the last two weeks though

              is it in a pot ? what compost ? and what have you fed it ?

              that variety is meant to be prolific
               
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              I always thought that once a cue gets checked by cold conditions, its not likely to recover, properly.
               
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              • Scrungee

                Scrungee Well known for it

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                My outdoor cucumbers are the slowest growing that I can remember, and I waited until the middle of June before planting them out.
                 
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                • Diane Davies

                  Diane Davies Apprentice Gardener

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                  It's in a pot in multi purpose the same as the ones in the green house Spruce. They are doing ok they just have a yellowing edge to all the leaves. There is a lot of fruit coming on them though
                   
                • Lolimac

                  Lolimac Guest

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                  Same here Scrunge but with my indoor cues...they are picking up now though or should I say were until last nights low of 8 degrees:doh:
                   
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                  • pamsdish

                    pamsdish Total Gardener

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                    I have 2 "Lemon Cucumber" plants from the seed swap, they are triffids in disguise. got to cut the tops off, too many to grow to full potential I think, harvested 3 already, nice tasting. I wondered if they were "Crystal Apple" I think they are called.[​IMG]
                     
                  • Diane Davies

                    Diane Davies Apprentice Gardener

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                    You can get crystal apple and lemon, they look like both so I'm not sure if they are really just the same. I'm sure one of these very knowledgeable people will know the answer.
                     
                  • Spruce

                    Spruce Glad to be back .....

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                    yellow edge is they are cold or they need a feed or both
                     
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