Tips on growing cucumbers, please. I bought seeds and tried to propagate them, but they refused to grow. I bought other varieties with the same results. I must be doing something wrong. Help, please.
These articles will help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/seeds/cheap-seed-starting-how-to-germinate-seeds-at-home.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/tips-for-growing-cucumbers.htm
My plants have produced real good. They are drying up now, and I need to know if I am to pull the whole plant and roots out or just cut off the tops. Are they perennial or seasonal?
Cucumber plants are annual and need to be pulled at the end of season and replanted each year.
Cucumbers sown from seed get to approximately 3" then start to rot from the top. Tried too much water, too little water - moving to a different area, cold frame - greenhouse - indoors - nothing seems to work.
Cucumbers wilting from the top sounds like a cucumber wilt disease. This article has more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/bacterial-wilt-cucumbers.htm
The best way to get a positive identification of problems is to go to the county extension service (in the US,) or the master gardeners assoc (in UK.) You can also seek assistance from any botanical garden or university horticulture program.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-extension-service.htm
http://mastergardeners.org.uk/get-involved/find-your-nearest-master-gardener/
I just read about neem oil for killing thrips. Can it be used on cucumber plants? Thrips is killing all fruit and it is becoming too curvy. Can you tell me how to buy it and from where? Thanks
Yes, you may use neem oil on your cucumber plants. Neem oil should be available at your local mom and pop or big box home and garden stores or even on-line.
For more information about neem oil, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
For more information on controlling thrips, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-thrips.htm
I am growing the cukes on a vertical slanted trellis and they are coming on like gangbusters for the first time. They are growing fast. I have a drip system and coastal hay mulch. They taste good in every way, but each slice in the middle of the cucumber has a small opening, looking like either a v or y. Other than that, they are great looking and tasting.
This is a very common problem. Can be caused by the watering, if the plants are watered then dry out, this can cause some hollowing of the cucumbers. To much Nitrogen can also cause this to happen. You can cut back on fertilizer if your using it.
If your cucumbers taste great, it is not a big factor.
My grandmother always used her imperfect cucumbers for relish! I sometimes do the same.
Here is a link for you with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/cucumber-hollow-heart.htm
My cucumbers bloom and the cucumber grows about 2 inches then falls off.
Your issue is most likely due to poor pollination. Here are some really interesting articles that explains this and which tell you how to hand pollinate your cucumbers to rectify it:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/hand-pollinating-cucumbers.htm
http://gardensouth.org/2011/07/21/why-are-my-cucumber-falling-off-or-becoming-deformed/
I have purchased a cucumber plant from Wilko. I have since repotted into a large tub and it is growing excellent. My question is: I have 3 females now with yellow flowers in bloom and one male beginning to form. Do I have to manually pollinate the females? It is called a cucumber variance and is a grafted vegetable. I have read that manually pollinating will make them taste bitter, yet others say it has to be done.
Here are some links on hand pollinating cucumbers.
You may want to add a companion planting nearby they may attract bees.
I found nothing in my research that suggested manually pollinating would cause bitter fruit.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/hand-pollinating-cucumbers.htm