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Spraying vegetables

InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
in Fruit & veg
I recently read that cucumbers liked being sprayed with water.  Besides the cucumbers I've been doing this with all the plants in the greenhouse as it's been so hot.

I have also recently read that some vegetables in a greenhouse can suffer what the RHS site called 'shock' with cold water sprayed on them.

I just wonder if i'm doing more harm than good.  Anyone any views on this subject?
At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  

Posts

  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    It's quite risky, because you can create perfect conditions for mould and blight by raising the humidity. I think it's more important to get water down deep to the roots
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
    It's quite risky, because you can create perfect conditions for mould and blight by raising the humidity. I think it's more important to get water down deep to the roots


    Thanks rasingirl, that makes perfect sense

    At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Cucumbers prefer a more humid atmosphere than tomatoes. If you have one of those greenhouses with a divided section, then a small area can be devoted to a higher humidity by keeping the door shut and wetting the floor of the greenhouse.  Tomatoes prefer it dryer otherwise they get blight and other fungal diseases.
  • InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
    The cucumbers share the greenhouse with ten peppers (I'd heard that there was going to be a shortage) and a courgette.  Then there are five pots of various herbs.  I cannot divide the greenhouse so I'll stop the spraying. 

    We have done alright in the past without spraying so i'll not risk upsetting things which, for the first time in the three years I've been gardeing, are going very well. 
    At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Water on the leaves and high light can focus the heat of the day and cause scorching, it's why it's better to water before the sun get to hot or after its gone in.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Try 'dibbing' holes at least a foot deep beside any plant you feel needs help.  Then, as raisingirl says, spray or apply water via a small watering can to fill each hole, thus reaching the roots but leaving the leaves (no pun intended).
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