I am growing cucumbers in a Topsy Turvy. I planted two seedlings in one planter. All was well. Both are bearing fruit. Both are healthy. We had a slow start to the summer with a lot of rain and cool weather. Now it is dry and hot. I have been keeping it well watered in the morning. Each morning it looks beautiful, but by 11 am and in 80 degree weather, all of the leaves are wilted. It is in full sun, as I know cukes like full sun. I am wondering if the soil inside the Topsy Turvy just gets too hot and the roots don't like it so hot. It seems to recover at day's end and is fine over night. Should I try to cover the 'pot' with reflective paper or something to shade it from the hot sun? Help please!
They are wilting due to heat stress. In containers they need more water than those planted in the ground, especially when temps rise above 85 F. You should be watering them at least twice a day, as the container tends to dry our much faster, leading to the heat stress you are seeing. You can shade the area, if desired, or simply move the plants to another location during the hottest part of the day.
I'm growing picklebush and other hybrid small cucumbers for pickling later this summer. Some of the picklebush cucumbers are now ready to be harvested. How do I preserve them until the rest of the cucumbers are ready to harvest? This should be in about eight weeks.
Unfortunately, you cannot keep them that long. Cucumbers will only store for up to a week at the most in the refrigerator.
If cucumbers are getting bitter, can you still make pickles? Will pickles be bitter?
If the pickles are already bitter tasting, then the pickles will most likely be a bit bitter as well. I would not use them.
How come my cucumbers are yellow and never turn green?
This article should help with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/when-to-pick-a-cucumber-how-to-prevent-yellow-cucumbers.htm
I have gobs of blooms but no fruit is set. How do I get some fruit from this vine, and what do I fertilize them with?
This is typical behavior for curbit plants (squash, cucumber, melon). They will produce mostly male (non-fruiting) blossoms early in the season and will gradually start to produce more female blossoms as the season progresses. Give it some time and you will see it start fruiting.
I have a raised bed garden. I've noticed white/yellow scaley areas on a few of the leaves. What might this be?
Neem oil is also effective for powdery mildew. here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/powdery-mildew-homemade-and-organic-remedies.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
Thank you for all of the help. This is my first Garden ever! Having a ball:however very challenging. The white/yellow scaley appearance on my cucumber foilage Is due to whitefly.Spoke with someone at a local nursery,showed him cucumer leaf,he directed me straight to this Tomato&vegetable ready to use 3 in 1 insecticide,fungicide,and miticide.You can apply even before problems arise.Here in Az. they suggest spraying every 5 days. Wish me luck....here goes!
Sounds like the beginning of powdery mildew. Remove the diseased leaves and discard. You can use one of the Safer organic fungicides to control. With all the wet weather we've been having this is not surprising.
I have heard that after you peel a cucumber or that when you handle them, like when slicing, they become bitter. The more you handle them, the more bitter they become. Is this true?
As this is news to me, I would say this is merely a myth. Handling these vegetables does not make them bitter. However, there are many factors that do. Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/what-causes-bitter-cucumber.htm