I have a problem with my squash, cucumber and melon plants. I believe it may be caused by stinkbugs. The plant's leaves start to droop and wilt, the stem starts to rot not too far from where it comes out of the ground, and leaves also start to rot where the stem attaches to the plant stalk--leading to dead plants. I have seen stinkbugs, both mature and the white little ones on the stems and on the undersides of leaves. There are also little copper colored dots on the undersides, which I think are eggs laid by the stinkbug. I have tried killing them, but there's more of them than me and it seems to be a losing battle. What can I do to prevent this next year? It seems to happen every year, no matter how weed-free I keep the garden.
This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/stink-bug-control.htm
I noticed while watering my garden this morning, a substance that looks like hardened raw egg yolk in patches covering my 3 cucumber mounds. Is this something I need to be concerned with? Any idea what it is?
It is just a fungus and is not harmful to your garden. This article will help you with getting rid of it: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/eliminate-mushrooms-in-your-lawn.htm
I know you say it isn't possible, but I have something in my garden that has to be a cucumber/squash hybrid. I have pictures. It tasted like a cucumber and looked like a cucumber on the inside, but was short and chubby and orange, w/ thick squash-like skin. I had planted cucumbers and several varieties of squash and we got squash hybrids galore, and these odd cucumber-like specimens. Any thoughts?
Cucumbers and squash are in the curcubit family, but they cannot cross pollinate. It is like humans and monkeys. Same basic family, but not compatible. Here is an article from the Iowa Extension Service on why it can't happen: https://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/node/981
Now, there are cucumbers that look and taste as you describe. One that comes to mind is a Mexican Sour Cucumber. You may have a mislabled plant or seed in your garden that was mislabled by the company that sold it to you.
They could also be under pollinated cucumbers, meaning some of the seeds got pollinated while others did not, which can result in one side filling out, while the other side does not. This article explains more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/cucumber/deformed-cucumbers.htm
My cucumbers are really, really doing well. When do I pick them?
They can be picked tiny or large or any size you want. When they get too big, however, they don't taste very good. Check the size in the grocery store for the size you like.
Why do my cucumbers grow large but never turn green? They are more yellow with a slight hint of green.
Your soil may be lacking iron. Chlorosis appears in the fruit before it appears in the leaves. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/leaf-chlorosis-and-iron.htm
My problem with them is internal. The inside center of them has no seeds, but they look fine on the outside. Can anybody tell me what I have done wrong? Thank you. rainman
They have not been pollinated is the most likely answer. Using pesticides not only kills the nasty bugs but the good ones, too. Bees are struggling with viruses -
I have what seems to be a squash/cucumber cross pollination. The fruit is approximately 2 feet long and is real pale green with grooves that go the length of it. Curious to know what happened.
It sounds like you may have a bitter melon plant. If this is not what you meant to plant, it may have been mislabled when you got it. Does it look like this:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/bitter-melons/growing-bitter-melons.htm