Yellowing Cucumber

[Marb67]

And again another healthy cucumber plant going downhill, yellowing with shrivelling fruit. I have had 1 fruit so far but like last year, it's going the same way. Watering normal and fed with tommorite once a week.

[Peanut]

What's the rest of the plant like Marb67? How big is it?
I find that the lower leaves on cucs often turn yellow and die off. I also get the odd small fruit turning yellow and dying off, usually when I have been a bit lax about the watering.

[ameno]

Two plants in a pot that size is definitely too many. Even one in a pot that size is pushing it.

Although I have found cucumbers in pots to also be prone to randomly succumbing to root rot and dying. Seems to happen to my cucumber plants in pots every year at some point, yet not the ones in the ground.

[Snoop Puss]

The roots might be getting too hot in a pot that size in the current heat, Marb. They've probably pushed all the way to the edge inside, especially as they haven't got much room for the two of them. I know they like warm soil, but if the pot is exposed to the sun, the soil could get more than quite warm, especially where it's in contact with the pot.

That shrivelled fruit looks to me like it might never have got pollinated in the first place.

[Marb67]

I have to say, as it was last time, the plant (it's only a single plant with 2 stems) was gifted to me by my sister in law so I didn't choose the pot etc. Hers always thrives so not sure it's the pot size. I will sprinkle some Q4 and chicken manure pellets to boost the colour.

[Snoop Puss]

Sorry, Marb. I thought from the photo it was two plants.

In any case, I can't believe your sister-in-law has some special gift with plants that you don't have. I remember the photos you posted a while back of your garden looking absolutely glorious. Despite all your seeming failures, you clearly have a way with your garden.

Does your sister-in-law pot her cucumber plants on or put the pots where they aren't as exposed to the sun as yours? I don't mean the plants but the actual pots, as hers might be surrounded by other pots that shade the terracotta from direct exposure to the sun more than yours are. Just looking for possible reasons why the difference.

[Marb67]

Thank you snoop, that's very kind of you. I am not sure where she places them but you could be right about the sun. It's already climbing the rose arch so it would be now difficult to unattach it unless I could somehow put something round the pot like sacking or something.

[Snoop Puss]

Some kind of shading for the pot would be a good idea by the look of it. I guess it might spoil the look of your garden but the plant would probably benefit. Something like sacking that hangs down rather than attached to the sides would be good.

Good luck.

Lovely photo by the way. I really like your garden, Marb. So beautiful.

[Marb67]

Some kind of shading for the pot would be a good idea by the look of it. I guess it might spoil the look of your garden but the plant would probably benefit. Something like sacking that hangs down rather than attached to the sides would be good.

Good luck.

Lovely photo by the way. I really like your garden, Marb. So beautiful.

Thanks again. It's slowly evolving but sometimes frustrating with limited space.

[Snoop Puss]

Thanks again. It's slowly evolving but sometimes frustrating with limited space.

However big a garden is, it's probably always going to be too small if you have the time to stay on top of it. Hats off to you, Marb, for a lovely spot.

[Andraste]

It looks pretty good to me marb - maybe the pic but the leaves are perhaps a tad yellow when In the upper growth so I'd give 2 tom feeds this week to pep them up. In this weather they need plenty of water. As already mentioned, shade the pot of you can. X

Ps your climbing nasturtiums look smashing - I'm thinking of growing some up the shed next year

[Andraste]

Forgot to say I'd go for a bigger pot myself for next year x

[Marb67]

It looks pretty good to me marb - maybe the pic but the leaves are perhaps a tad yellow when In the upper growth so I'd give 2 tom feeds this week to pep them up. In this weather they need plenty of water. As already mentioned, shade the pot of you can. X

Ps your climbing nasturtiums look smashing - I'm thinking of growing some up the shed next year

I'll try that twice this week and see if it picks up thanks.

[Marb67]

I must opologise as my sister in law has told me there are indeed 2 plants in the pot, and not 1 as I initially thought. I realised when two cucumbers looked totally different. One spikey and the other smooth. I will try and shuffle the plants into a larger pot but perhaps a bit too late in the day?

[Snoop Puss]

If they're starting to fruit, Marb, I'd leave them as they are. As you say, a bit late in the day. But you and your sister-in-law know for next year.