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Can I Save These Cucumber Plants

Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
in Fruit & veg
I have two cucumber plants which were doing okay and had about 4 cucumbers at the bottom  of the plant.  However this is what one is like now.  Photo on the left is where you can see flower nearer the top but right photo are ones lower down which just go yellow and shrivel up.


Photo above is the second plant where the leaves are not as green have now these markings and again any fruit just shrivels up.  It is a self pollinating one. Can these be saved or should I put this down to a bad first cucumber experience!!

Posts

  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    The pot its in looks a little small, I use garden tubs at least 40 cm wide. It maybe hungry and thirsty as not enough compost to hold onto nutrients.  Put a tray under it and water a couple of litres to see how much it is using, then feed at least once a week with tom feed. Leaving the tray will give it a chance to use the water that drains away, and you will know when it needs to be watered again. I know it is a self pollinated variety,  but using a paint brush to pass pollen from flower to flower wont hurt, and may save the fruit. Hope this helps, and let us know how you get on.😁
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I think as @purplerallim mentions it's the flowers not getting self-pollinated so they just die off. If the pot is too small that could cause problems too. I use a 22L pot for mine.
    We had a chilly few days a while ago and I had a few fruits that just went yellow due to lack of pollination.
    I leave the doors and windows open on all but chilly days so that insects can pollinate the cucumbers, toms and chillies


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Thanks @Pete.8 I learnt from the best 😉😁
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    :) ta

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Thanks for info.  I usually keep them well watered and do feed weekly.  They are in a 30cm pot. I will put a tray under and as suggested give them 2 litres of water.  Should I just then re-water when the water in the tray has dried up - this may be a silly question! I will also get a paintbrush out.  Steep learning curves but this forum is great.
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Also meant to ask should I remove the dried up yellow ones?
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Yes wait till water is gone and then feel the top inch of soil to see if its still damp. Its a learning curve for everyone so you can't expect to know everything at the start, thats part of the fun. In the 21° temps at present 2/3times a week check is fine, if we get a hot spell you will need to check daily. 😁
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    I don't want to jinx things but one of my cucumber plants has now decided to grow cucumbers again.  Fingers Crossed. Must be the excellent advice from you guys here.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    😁👍
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