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  • #1

    Difficult cucumber seeds

    Hi - do people find cucumber seeds difficult to germinate? I sowed 4 about 3 weeks ago in a heated propagator and only one has germinated. It's my first time trying cucumbers and reading that they are temperamental I want to have some backups. They were expensive and I only got 8. So I want to make sure my next sowing goes better. Would they benefit from chitting? Should I soak them for a few hours and put on damp paper like I did for peas/beans/parsnips?
    Thanks a lot
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  • #2
    I have yet to sow my cumbers usually leave till mid May.

    One tip I can offer is to place the seed edgeways into the pot, I find this helps with germination rates.

    Colin
    Potty by name Potty by nature.

    By appointment of VeggieChicken Member of the Nutters club.


    We hang petty thieves and appoint great ones to public office.

    Aesop 620BC-560BC

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    • #3
      I never have problems with cucumbers. I germinate mine in the airing cupboard. You could definitely try the pre-chitting method. Did you keep them moist but not too soggy? Maybe they rotted(?)

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      • #4
        I tried them edge ways. Not sure what went wrong. I didn't realise I was so early. Might hold off for a while so.
        Thanks

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Shadylane View Post
          I never have problems with cucumbers. I germinate mine in the airing cupboard. You could definitely try the pre-chitting method. Did you keep them moist but not too soggy? Maybe they rotted(?)
          As far as I know I did nothing wrong. Same as I do with all seeds. Sowed in seed compost, watered from below, let drain and then into the propagator. Might be just a bad batch or something. I'm going to try chit a couple next time. Cheers

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          • #6
            I use 2 different methods for chitting large seeds.
            1) Like you say, in kitchen paper then in ziplock bag.
            2) Line the side of a glass with kitchen paper, add a touch of water then place your seeds between the paper and the glass.
            sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
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            • #7
              Better luck next time Redser. Like Colin I wait until May. The seeds germinate ok and the plants get vigorous, but it's the cucumbers I can't manage to grow!
              Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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              • #8
                I grow quite a lot of cucumbers and the method that works best for me is to sow in May 1 seed per pot on its edge, put on a windowsill not too hot a week later hey presto ....... its up
                Updated my blog on 13 January

                http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra.../blogs/stella/

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                • #9
                  Hmm, am I too early. I sowed four last Sat (10th), in a propagator, and two are up with the other two pushing the compost up. They are in the kitchen at the moment. Should they go into a cold green house with double protection overnight or on a cold windowsill for a while?
                  Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are probably right.
                  Edited: for typo, thakns VC

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                  • #10
                    You want to be sowing in mid spring for an unheated greenhouse (or outdoors). It's not even officially spring yet, so you're about a month early SS
                    All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by redser View Post
                      Would they benefit from chitting?
                      At least if you chit them you can see what's happening with the seed, ie germinating, rotting, or nothing. If it's nothing, send them back to the supplier
                      All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post
                        You want to be sowing in mid spring for an unheated greenhouse (or outdoors). It's not even officially spring yet, so you're about a month early SS
                        Looks like I came over 'all unecessary' last week. You know what it's like once you start sowing seeds.

                        What's the best way of holding them back do you think? The cotyledon leaves are up on two and the other two haven't broken the surface yet. The variety is 'Bella'.
                        Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you are probably right.
                        Edited: for typo, thakns VC

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                        • #13
                          Uppps that's why mine have been keeling over left, right and centre, I've sow them to early. I did mine back at he beginning of Feb, I do have two that have survived though, I have them in the kitchen windowsill with plastic bags over them, It did say sow from Feb on the packet though.
                          Chris


                          My Allotment Journal @                           Google+ and Youtube

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                          Updated Regularly-Last Update was 30-05-16

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Currysniffa View Post
                            It did say sow from Feb on the packet though.
                            That's for people with lots of lights and a heated gh.


                            A cynic might say it's so you have to go out and buy another packet of seed when you sow all the first ones too early and they die ...
                            Last edited by Two_Sheds; 19-03-2012, 08:19 AM.
                            All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                            • #15
                              yeah but there's no cynic's here 'eh TS?
                              Never test the depth of the water with both feet

                              The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory....

                              Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

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