cucumber plant problems

 Diagnosis and solution of cucumber plant problems

Cucumbers are one of the most preferred vegetable garden crops, close behind tomatoes and peppers in the list of favorites of many gardeners. Cucumbers are easy to plant, tasty, and they are prosperous growers. But even experienced growers have problems with the cucumber plant from time to time. In this article, I will share some common problems with growing cucumber and introduce some simple organic solutions.

Common problems of the cucumber plant

Poor planting techniques inhibit the growth

Cucumbers are easy to grow from seeds sown directly in the garden, but for northern gardeners with shorter growing seasons, this may help you to plant seedlings in the garden rather than seeds. The problem is that cucumber plants do not like to disturb their roots and usually suffer from transplant shock. When struggling with this physiological disorder, transplanting cucumber shows signs of delayed growth and development, denying the timely benefits of planting young seedlings instead of planting seeds.

To fix this common cucumber problem, plant the seeds in the garden instead of planting them directly in the garden. If you live in the north, choose a short-lived, fast-maturing variety such as 'Patio Snooker' or 'Straight 8'. If you think you need to plant transplants, try not to disturb the roots when planting seedlings or start them in planting peat pots so you do not have to bother the roots. Maintain the seedlings for the first week or two after planting them in the garden. Use diluted liquid organic fertilizer, cover them with a shawl for a few days and make sure they get enough water.

Lack of pollination affects the set of fruits

Unfortunately, lack of pollination is one of the most common cucumber plant problems these days. If your cucumber fruits (yes, botanically, cucumbers are fruits, not vegetables) are not fully formed or have nothing but a small tip, it may be due to poor pollination. Each flower must be visited several times by a pollinator to fully develop the fruit. The more pollen you have, the better.

Do not use pesticides in the vegetable garden; Some organic pesticides can also infect bees. Increase the number of pollinating pests in your garden by planting among the many flowering herbs and annuals edible crops such as sunflower, oregano, basil, ginseng, dill, black spot Susan.

Lack of water controls the growth of cucumber vine

Cucumber vines are thirsty and they will let you know if they are not getting enough water. If your vines wither or grow slower than you would like, it is because you do not have enough water. Like all plants, ground cucumbers prefer deep, penetrating soaking once or twice a week, rather than light, shallow watering every day.

Growing cuckoos in the ground should stabilize the soil moisture with shredded leaves or straw. Containers grown in containers should be watered deeply every day in hot summer weather. Do not water the "splash and dash", it rarely moistens the leaves and soil. Aim the hose directly at the soil and allow it to pass through the soil and drain into the drain hole at the bottom of the pot.

Or nutrition affects the health of the cucumber plant

Cucumber vines are high in fodder. If your vines are light green or yellow, especially the older leaves, they may need nutritional encouragement. In the garden, adding a few inches of compost in the spring should provide all the nutrients your vines need. But, if you find that they are yellow in summer, feed the plants with liquid organic manure once a month. Before planting the seeds, you can apply organic granular fertilizers to the planting beds, but only if a soil test tells you what you need. High nitrogen yields long, green vines with few flowers or fruits.

Cucumbers grown in containers should be fed regularly with liquid organic manure. Be sure to use high-quality potting soil when planting them. Here is the recipe I use to make my own clay pot.