What is wrong with my cucumber seedlings?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
Goofygirl Stafford, VA(Zone 7a) May 08, 2016

Hi Folks,

I've been Googling all day, but I can't figure it out. Can anyone tell me why this happened to my cucumber seedlings. Two have formed tiny cucumbers even though they are not close to being mature and one has leaves that turned white. They were started from seed indoors, hardened off and transplanted on 4/17/16. They started out fine, but even when they were still indoors, they started looking stressed and growth slowed down. Now, at least two plants have "died" and two or three more look like they are going to follow same. I can't figure out the problem: disease, watering (under or over), fertilizer, lighting, soil. I used a sterile medium to sow the seeds (seed starting mix by Miracle Gro). They are also not the same variety of cucumber, so it can't be the seed packet either.

Thumbnail by Goofygirl Thumbnail by Goofygirl Thumbnail by Goofygirl
Post #10224821
Quote
stephanietx Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) May 09, 2016

My guess is over fertilization, especially if you used Miracle Gro soil as it has fertilizer in the mix. I would try plain potting soil or garden soil and re-sow seeds.

Post #10225024
Quote
1lisac Liberty Hill, TX(Zone 8a) May 09, 2016

Great catch Stephanie. As a rule seedlings don't need to be fertilized, the seeds contain all the plant needs at least for a while. Cukes do great when directly sown, as long as the soil is warm enough.

Post #10225036
Quote
Goofygirl Stafford, VA(Zone 7a) May 09, 2016

Thanks for the help! But, I don't understand...why would too much fertilizer do this? This is my second year gardening so I am still trying to figure things out. Fertilization, in particular, is difficult for me to understand. I still don't get how much, how often and what to use. While they were seedlings, I used Big Bloom, diluted to 25%, every couple of weeks on all of my seedlings, (tomato, cucumber, herbs, annual flowers, etc.)

Post #10225067
Quote
1lisac Liberty Hill, TX(Zone 8a) May 09, 2016

Too much fertilizer is just as limiting as too little and different plants have different requirements. Without a soil test you have no idea what your plants might need.

You used Big Bloom and you got blooms but the plants aren't at the stage to bloom. I don't fertilize unless my plants show me they need it. Seedlings don't need to be fertilized. I'd recommend a balanced fertilizer when your plants are older if they aren't in soil that contains fertilizer.

Post #10225094
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener Threads

Go to all Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener threads
BACK TO TOP