Cucumbers not forming - Ask Extension
I’m growing cucumbers climbing in a pot and I have successfully harvested 3 cucumbers, but many if the little cukes stop at about 3/4 in. Not enoug...
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Cucumbers not forming #674213
Asked August 07, 2020, 8:06 PM EDT
I’m growing cucumbers climbing in a pot and I have successfully harvested 3 cucumbers, but many if the little cukes stop at about 3/4 in. Not enough water? Not enough room? Pollinating problem?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Your image reveals 2 different problems.
The tough-looking leaves -- dry edges and faint browning between the veins -- indicate a water shortage which can easily occur in a pot. The scanty amount of root-media dries much more rapidly than one would think. Depending on the size of both the vine and the pot, you may need to water every day. For now, submerging the pot in water for 20 minutes should help hydrate the roots and the potting soil.
What size pot are you using and how tall is the vine?
To pollinate the flowers, use a small paint brush, such as used by a child, to transfer pollen from a male flower to a female flower early every morning.
See "Pollination in Vegetable Gardens" -- https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart-gardening-pollination-in-vegetable-gardens-and-backyard-fru...
To finish this up, please send an image of the vine in the pot along with its surroundings.
I look forward to receiving your responses and images.
They’re big pots/. Maybe be 18 inches across. I’ll up the watering and bee my best self! (The leaves in first shot had been sitting on table for a while . Plant isn’t quite that dry. Thanks!!
They’re big pots/. Maybe be 18 inches across. I’ll up the watering and bee my best self! (The leaves in first shot had been sitting on table for a while . Plant isn’t quite that dry. Thanks!!
Well, the plant is on the dry side. The lower leaves should still be present and healthy.
It's important to thoroughly moisten the potting mix, then to avoid drying. When potting mix dries, it pulls away from the edges. Any applied water than quickly runs out the bottom but misses the root ball.
I usually suggest submerging the rootball then removing it within 20 minutes when the bubbles stop rising. But that may be challenging with an 18-inch pot.
If so, consider rigging a rather hokey drip system with several plastic jugs. Make 3 pinholes in the bottom of each jug, set the on the surface of the potting mix, then fill with water every day, especially during this heat.
The cuke alos needs a bit of fertilizer. Pots are watered so often that they soon are short of fertilizer elements. If you have some release fertilizer, scratch a dose into the surface of the potting mix. Every time you water, a bit of fertilizer will be available to the roots.
And if the plant still seems to lag, consider using a half dose of a dissolve-in-water-fertilizer every other week.
I see two new baby cucumbers! I'll keep at it. I like the plastic bottle drip method. I don't think this would lift from the pot. I'll try the drip method- and the fertilizer. Next year, I think I'll try something different. I think I can move them so they don't get as much sun (heat), too. Thanks...
