Cucumbers are well - known for giving gardener issue . After a few failed seasons due topowdery mildew , yellow leaves , or no production , you may be quick to give up . They are touted as being easy to care for , but they are n’t exactly a plant that you’re able to ignore . However , if given the proper conditions , they are fast and fertile cultivator .

Are yougrowing cucumbersor ready to give it another try ? Here are 13 mistake to avoid when growing cucumbers .

1. Picking the Wrong Variety

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When pick out a variety of cucumber vine , be aware of the quad you design to grow them in . Unless you have a large garden patch , you will probably want a bush miscellanea . If you choose a vining cucumber , you will need to give your cucumber vine plantssomething to climb . you’re able to alsogrow cucumber vine in containersif you ’re tight on blank space .

appear for strains that are disease - resistant , specially if you live in an area that has a trouble withpests . Salad bush and spacemaster are two democratic disease - tolerant bush varieties to keep in creative thinker .

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cuke love the sun , so if you ’re in a cooler climate , study a variety that is more kind to coolheaded weather . Lucky strike is a pickling cucumber vine that is both resistant to some disease and stomach cool summer .

2. Planting Too Early

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Cucumbers are picky about getting cold , and a rime or sudden drop in temperatures can defeat them . When sow seeds out of doors , ortransplanting seedling , wait until the chance of hoarfrost has slip by . If you have a myopic growing season , you may need to start seeds inwardly or in agreenhouse .

3. Planting in the Shade

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Cucumbers need good deal of sun to grow . found them under a tree or in a shaded area is a mistake . If they are not leave with adequate sunlight , then the industrial plant ’s growth and harvesting will be stunt . A shaded area will also increase the chances of disease and pests so , find a spot where they will get at least eight time of day of unmediated sunshine a day .

4. Improper Spacing

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Cucumbers need slew of outer space to rise , especially vine miscellany . When sow seed out of doors , or transplant seedling , be sure to allow for equal space between plant . This includes associate crops andother institute .

check off your particular variety for right spacing as it can range between 12 to 72 inches . Planting too stuffy together may lead to lower production if the flora pass away each other out . The crowded leaves will also increase the likelihood of disease and pests .

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5. Using Poor Soil

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Before planting your germ or seedlings , it ’s important to ensure proper soil caliber . you’re able to do this bychecking the pH of your stain . cucumber expand in pH land , around 6.0 . If the soil is too acidulous , the plant will have worry producing .

To desexualize this issue , and as a preventive measure , bestow compost , or nutrient - rich soil to the garden bed . cucumber also like loose land , so give the bed a upright till before planting . Coconut coiror peat moss is always a respectable idea to mix into your bed , especially if you have issues with drainage or dim soil .

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6. Under or Over Watering

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Once seedling are established , lachrymation challenge is usually the big event . Cucumbers are 96 pct H2O , so it ’s no surprise that they need lots of it . Whatever you do , do not permit the dirt dry out . Underwateringor inconsistent watering is a common yield for gardener .

On the other helping hand , overwatering can be an issue for any plant . Water deeply every few days or once a week depending on the weather , but do n’t let the flora sit in pool water system . Overwatering can get stem putrefaction , killing the plant life . It can also lead to disease and a higher probability of pest .

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7. Getting the Leaves Wet

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When watering , try not to get the leaves pissed . Wet leaves will increase the fortune of disease . alternatively . try using anarrow - necked can , watering around the base of the plant to avoid swash the foliation . you may also go down up a self - lachrymation system or drip irrigation .

8. Under or Over Fertilizing

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If you are receive job with cucumbers forming , or poorly producing , then the issuance may be under fertilise . Cucumbers require alimental - dense land andregular fertilizerthroughout their produce season . you’re able to use a tomato - character fertilizer or one that is n’t too gamy in nitrogen or potassium .

Since they do ask even fertilizing it is also possible to over - fertilize . Overfertilizing can lead topowdery mildew . Do n’t fertilize more often than every two weeks , and endeavor to plan around the weather . Fertilizing decently before a heatwave can moderate to warmth hurt .

cucumber growing on wooden trellis

9. Forgetting to Weed

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cucumber are not a plant that you want to forget toweedaround . Just like unlawful spacing , mourning band can choke the plants out . Too many weed around your cuke plant can chair to disease , especially powdery mold . Proper airflow is critical for healthy plants .

10. Ignoring Insects or Disease

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As a nurseryman , you should never brush off insects or diseases , but some plants are more resilient to them than others . Cucumbers are not those plants .

Insects , likecucumber beetles , wreak mayhem in the garden , and can cause bacterial wilt . Getting disembarrass of them when you first see them is imperative .

cucumber seedling planted in the ground

Diseases , such as downy mildew , and gummy blight prow are also coarse . Pick a mixed bag that is disease - resistant and keep an middle out for the first signs of unhealthy plants . fungicide can be used if needed or you could make your owninsecticide .

11. Leaving Cucumbers on the Vine Too Long

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It ’s best to piece cucumbers as soon as they areready to harvestas this will encourage new yield to grow .

If you leave cucumbers on the vine too long then they will become biting and yield production will decrease , taking away from the laconic compaction you hump and love . They are a fast - get plant so watch carefully as they are nearing harvest .

cucumbers growing on a green vine

12. Pulling Cucumbers When Harvesting

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Cucumber vine are frail and easily damaged . When harvest , cut them from the theme , do not pull them . Pulling the cucumber to give out it from the vine can damage the plant or harvest . This could head to a substantial reduction or stop in production .

13. Not Pulling the Plants at the End of the Season

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At the end of the season , you should scavenge out your gardens . This helps to reduce the chance of diseases being carry over to the undermentioned year . This is peculiarly true for cucumbers which are susceptible to a host of disease . This measure is always a good precaution .

Join The Cucumber Club

grow cucumber can be a mickle of fun and the care is comparatively soft . However , if you ’ve made any of these 13 mistakes , you may have experienced dashing hopes in a ruin harvest . Hopefully , this article will help you invalidate anymistakes when grow cucumbersin the future .

cucumber plant on trellis

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Watering green cucumber plant.

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beetle on leaf

two green cucumbers growing on a vine

a person holding freshly harvested cucumbers

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