What's happening to my cucumbers? - Ask Extension
Hello, my cucumber plant was doing so well until a few weeks ago. It doesn't seem to be producing as many female flowers and the male flowers aren't a...
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What's happening to my cucumbers? #840111
Asked July 11, 2023, 1:51 PM EDT
Hello, my cucumber plant was doing so well until a few weeks ago. It doesn't seem to be producing as many female flowers and the male flowers aren't as big as they were in May/June. Can you please tell me what it needs? Does it need a certain type of fertilizer and does it have a disease? I'm also noticing that some of the young cucumbers are struggling. Help!
Thank you for your time!
Phaedra Rogers
Travis County Texas
Expert Response
Hi Phaedra,
Gardening in Central Texas during these brutally hot days are challenging to say the least. Many vegetables start going into survival mode when temperatures exceed 95 degrees. You may see flowers but difficult for the plant to set fruit. Also the sun scorches the leaves and some insects with piercing mouth parts puncture leaves and stems causing damage and making a wound were fungal disease infects the plants.
It would be great if you could provide some afternoon shade for your cucumbers. Shade cloth that allows 50% or more sunlight is ideal. Remove damage leaves. Use liquid fertilizer at recommended or diluted amounts (promotes good environment without a lots of growth stimulation).
Also I just put a side dressing of compost to help with the water holding capacity of the soil for some of my garden vegetables and flowers.
Hope this helps and wishing you all the best!
Bob Kunkel
Gardening in Central Texas during these brutally hot days are challenging to say the least. Many vegetables start going into survival mode when temperatures exceed 95 degrees. You may see flowers but difficult for the plant to set fruit. Also the sun scorches the leaves and some insects with piercing mouth parts puncture leaves and stems causing damage and making a wound were fungal disease infects the plants.
It would be great if you could provide some afternoon shade for your cucumbers. Shade cloth that allows 50% or more sunlight is ideal. Remove damage leaves. Use liquid fertilizer at recommended or diluted amounts (promotes good environment without a lots of growth stimulation).
Also I just put a side dressing of compost to help with the water holding capacity of the soil for some of my garden vegetables and flowers.
Hope this helps and wishing you all the best!
Bob Kunkel
Thank you Bob! Your input was very helpful. This hot weather is rough for all of us, including our plants!
Best wishes,
Phaedra
On Jul 12, 2023, at 12:56 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
