Boy! my cucumbers and melon seedlings are getting too big. I made the mistake of planting cucumber, melon and pepper seeds on the same flat. The cucumbers and melons are getting a little too leggy even though I have them in growlights. I have heard that cucumber roots do not like to be disturved so I was wondering whether or not I should transplant my peppers to other pots ( pepper seddlings are still small and not ready for transplant or hardening process quite yet) so I can place my cucumbers outside to start the hardening process. Thanks. Carmen
Cucumber and melon questions.
All of those need to go outside for hardening off. They'll all fare better under a tree with dappled sun than under lights in the house. This time of the year cukes will grow and produce better in your zone with part shade.
Thank you so much for the quick response. going to place them outside now. Should I also place the peppers out too since they are planted with the cuckes and melons as well.
Thanks
Yes. It's their favorite weather and if they are in tight quarters that only allow for small root development, you should put them in something larger. I found that small pots held them back once they had the second set of true leaves. All plants need acclimating to full sun so make sure they're well protected with lots of bright shade. I like to plant mine out when a front is moving in that looks like a rainy cloudy day.
Thank you, I placed them outside today for a couple of hours, will probably do more hours as the week progreses and hopefully I'll have my raise beds ready soon for transplant.
I just remembered that I've read many times that cukes don't like to be disturbed and thats why they're frequently sown where they're to grow or at least in individual cells. So be real careful. If they act like they didn't like being moved, poke another seed down beside them and it will be up and running in a week or 10 days.
I know, I read the same thing so I was thinking of planting more cuke seeds in the raise beds once I get the dirt to fill them up, I guess live and learn, next time I'll either plant them directly in the ground or I will plant them in giffy pots the ones you plant in the ground so I don't disturb the roots, I wonder if this also goes for melons and squash because I am also planting some of those as well. Also I never realized that cuckes grow so quick, so fast, I actually thought they grew at about the same rate as tomatoes and that is why I decided to start them early inside.
carminator1 - cukes, squash and melons are all int he same family and grow very quickly. They will take over your whole garden if you let them :)
I start my squash and cukes individually in 4" pots. They're easier for me to monitor and water until they get going that way. The whole contents comes out of the pot and they don't seem to mind. It's awfully hot right now for cukes in zone 8 and the only way I can get any is with partial shade. They do real well in full sun in the spring and fall.
About what time frame do you plant your cuckes out?What months? I actually just moved to Mobile AL so I am in the same zone as you Twiggy Buds. It is extremely hot right now so that is why I started my seedlings now, my tomatoes and peppers have a while to go until I can plant them in the ground but I think I might be able to get them planted by the end of August begining of Septemeber. I don't have a lot of shade in my back yard it is mostly sunny.