Two years ago, I had my cucumber and watermelon vines shrivel from the bottom. Moved the crops last year, but it happened again, and also happened to my pumpkins and gourds in a different part of the yard. I have heard there is a soil-borne virus that could be responsible. Is there any way to get rid of it? Only cucurbits are affected. Grew sunflowers and morning glories in the same spot last year and they were fine. Is there a cure? Thank you!
Other than relocating to another planting area, you may want to consider solarizing the garden soil. This article should help you with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-solarize-garden-beds-to-eliminate-garden-pests-in-the-soil.htm
I started cucumber plants by seeds indoors. They are growing very tall and are bending over. I tried planting them in deeper pots. Is there something else I should be doing?
This is due to a lack of light. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/seeds/leggy-seedling.htm
I have a rectangular container: 1 meter length, 30 cm width depth. I have repotted tomato, and put bitter melon and cucumber seeds in it. All have grown. My questions are: Is repotting necessary for cucumber and bitter melon? I mean I have grown them directly, so still is it required? How many plants should I keep in the container and how to fertilize them?
1) I would not try and repot the plants, as moving them would only shock the roots and they likely would not survive. As long as there is anough space in the container and they have adequate drainage, the plants should be fine. 2) Normally, you would thin the seedlings down to your strongest plants. For instance, your healthiest tomato, best cucumber, and melon. I would not have more than three of these growing in one container. For more infomration on thinning, this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/seeds/thinning-seedlings.htm 3) Most fertilizing is done at the time of planting, usually amending soil with compost is sufficient. However, if you apply any during the growing season, a fertilizer higher in phosphorus works best.
Every year I grow F1 hybrid cucumbers in my greenhouses (not in the same place), and every year as they get to full size they are covered with silver grey streaks, which although don't spoil the cucumber, they don't look very nice. Can you tell me what these marks are and how to prevent them? I grow organically so don't want to use chemicals for control. Thank you.
It sounds like they are experiencing cracking, which is uncommon with cucumbers but possible. Cracking is normally caused by irregular watering- going through dry period and then a heavy watering. The plant, being water starved, sucks up the water rapidly and over fills its fruit with water. Small cracks form (you can kind of think of them as stretch marks on fruit) and they heal quickly, but leave scars that get bigger as the fruit grows. The fruit tastes fine and is fine, but looks a little marred. Making sure they are evenly watered will correct the problem on future cucumber fruit.
I want to know how to plant a cucumber and what kind of soil do I need to use.
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/tips-for-growing-cucumbers.htm
Can cucumbers cross pollinate with melons?
No. This article will help explain the cross pollination process: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/cross-pollination.htm
Can I get rid of CMV organically and, if so, how?
Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for cucumber mosaic (CMV). Prevention is all you can really do. Infected plants need to be removed. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/cucumber-mosaic-virus.htm