cool cucumbers

[digitS']

For peppers - "stunting can occur below 40F," we are told in some guides.

I've had good pepper years and bad pepper years. Usually the bad years aren't too bad.

Cucumbers. I've had good cucumber years and bad cucumber years and some really bad cucumber years . . . like, when you only get 1 or 2 fruits off each vine.

I've blamed lingering cool weather - like when it stays cool right thru June. But, do you think that a night at 40 can do the same to a cucumber as it does to a pepper - stunt the plant? Would it make sense to put the peppers and the cukes in the same basket with regards to transplanting out.

I am already doing this with melons but it hadn't occurred to me that cucumbers might be as cold-sensitive.

Steve

 

[Reinbeau]

They are very could sensitive, yes, you should consider them in the same basket.

 

[Collector]

Have you planted any cucumbers or peppers yet this year Steve?
We planted some cucumber transplants in the garden and they are doing horrible, could the cold weather be the cause?

 

[digitS']

Cucumbers have been planted in 2 of my gardens. They look fine in one.

Well, I just looked at the cukes that were planted with the pumpkins and squash in the other garden. This afternoon was the first I've been back to the big garden since that 35F morning we had Friday. The cukes are severely damaged!!

Anyway, I decided not to replace them this afternoon since another 40 night is predicted. Put the cukes back in the plastic tunnel along with the peppers for the evening.

I was just thinking that it may have been providential that they were damaged and will need replacing. They might not have looked so bad but then, failed to thrive thru the season. Anyway, I've got replacements - a fact that encouraged me to risk the others last week.

Foolhardy Steve

 

[thistlebloom]

Not necessarily foolhardy Steve. I think we are wired to push the limits a bit. I mean, it may have happened that we had a freakish warm spell for the rest of the spring, and in that case the gamble pays off and we have an extended season and more ripe fruit.

Good thing we plant extra, eh Collector? My own extra early tomato experiment has a rather poor success rate, with 2 out of 6 tomatoes surviving. But those two are healthy and doing well, so I'm taking notes, and trying to learn something from it....

 

[digitS']

I'm wondering how much variety may make the difference, Thistle'. I mean, I used to think melons were out of my reach but some varieties have ripened well 80% of the time (and Passport hasn't failed me once in about 5 years ).

The long "English" cucumbers - Tasty Green or Tasty King that I've grown have, more or less, failed some years. Diva, a Beit Alpha type really, really couldn't handle my garden environment but Muncher, a Beit Alpha type, did fine last year. American slicers Turbo, Raider, & Speedway have never failed over a good number of seasons.

The World of Veggies, crowded into just a week or two in September? A pickle barrel world? Nope, that's not for me !

Steve

 

[4grandbabies]

I started my cucumbers outside as I do every year, then a normal spring turned cold!! and Wet!! So, apparently they rotted in the ground, so bought some straight 8 plants to replace them, I and so sad:
I always grow calypso. they are perfect canners when small and great slicers when big. Oh well, maybe still sow a few somewhere and eat straight 8 until my calypso grow up.

 

[digitS']

Veggie varieties are kind of like old friends, that you can welcome back every year, 4!

Don't give up on those Calypsos!

Even if you have to wait until 2012 - they will be something you will look forward to and be pleased to see again!

Steve

 

[Collector]

Thistle, It is good to have extra starts. But I am down to planting seeds for cucumbers. The ones that the dogs didnt eat just croaked except 1, and it does not look to good. Hope the seeds pan out or we wont be having any fresh cucs with our supper!

 

[digitS']

Oh, cukes are a short-season crop! Soaking the seed overnight should hurry them along.

The only one that seems to take an awfully long time is the Lemon Cuke!

A few years ago, during a bad cucumber year, I didn't harvest more than a hat full before the frost killed 'em! Still ~ I'll have Lemon Cukes again this year . . .

Steve :tools