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Cucumber and Bell Peppers

Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
in Fruit & veg
Having been growing cucumber and bell pepper seeds for the first time they are coming on and am looking to pot out in greenhouse soon hopefully. What size of pot should I use for them.  I am running out of very large pots so wondered what size they would be happy in. Also thanks for the good advice I had on here on my tomato seedlings (first time growing from seed), they are now amazing and ready for greenhouse soon. 
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  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I use a 22L pot for my cucumber and 10L pots for each pepper which are both in my greenhouse.
    If you're low on big pots, best to use the biggest you have for the cucumber and smaller ones for the peppers
    Glad your toms. are coming on well.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I agree with @Pete.8 - I use 11 litre square pots for peppers (7 litres is OK with more watering needed) and cucumbers go in at least 20l or larger but are usually directly planted into the GH border (but not everyone has that option.)  If any part of your greenhouse is shadier than the rest, grow the cucumber there and put the peppers where they'll get maximum sun.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Thanks for advice Pete.  Will work out what I have. 
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    I can neither afford nor have the space to store large pots so I just use old compost bags with the top third cut off for peppers, aubergines and tomatoes.

    I reserve two big tubs for the cucumber but only because they have to hold the netting down for the cukes to climb over.

    Just realised typing this that I relegate the solanaceae to substandard housing, am I solanaphobic without knowing it  :D 
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Thanks all.  I have had a look and not enough large enough pots so may think about growing some of my tomatoes in a grow bag and use the big pots for cucumber and peppers. I'm only growing a couple of each as its the first time. I have seen somewhere about growing in a compost bag so that's another option.  I don't have any soil borders in the greenhouse but thanks Bob for the tip about trying to keep cucumber in shadier bit.  Greenhouse does get a lot of sun and don't have any of the shading to put on it - not that much of an expert!!!
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    A couple of cucumber plants will give enough cues for a family. With toms you always find ways of using them no matter what you get.😁
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    More cucumber help please.  I have potted my two cucumber plants in the greenhouse and they are growing very well indeed. Do I need to anything with them apart from supplying support e.g. nip anything out as in tomatoes or just leave alone? Thanks
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I pinch out the side shoots lower down on the plant otherwise you get lots of cucumbers on the floor. I let them get to about 12" then nip the tips out.
    Higher up on the plant I leave them if they are well behaved (i.e. can cling to the trellis) Otherwise nip them out when they're about 12".
    I also tie the stems to the trellis here and there.
    Last year due to the weight of fruits all the tendrils broke and the whole plant collapsed onto the floor of the greenhouse which was not good :(

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Same happened to melons last year @Pete.8 I didn't expect the tendrils to give way so am also tying the stems to the supports this year.  Belt and braces!
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Very true Bob - after 50-odd years of gardening, still learning, mostly from mistakes.
    Hope you get some lovely melons to enjoy later in the year.
    I've just picked my 29th cucumber, but a way to go before I beat my previous record of 294 from one plant - hope you get as many melons :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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