Re: Compost - question and answer thread

[Ploshkin]

I think cucumbers probably are sensitive souls which is why I just buy a couple of healthy plants from a garden centre. I found growing them from seed very hit and miss and frequently ended up with pretty miserable plants so went and bought one anyway without much choice as it had got a bit late.

[freebird]

According to my Vegetable Expert book, it could be Basal Stem Rot, a bacterial disease. Suggested prevention is to avoid overwatering and keep water away from the base of the stem.

[Chilli-head]

That sounds quite likely doesn't it. The amount of poorly composted wood in the commercial compost does at least make it drain more freely. Perhaps I need to add more grit. And maybe pot up less deeply, so it stands a little proud to keep the water from the stem ? Good thoughts, I will have to experiment.

[Dandelion]

The other thing (which I read somewhere for the first time this year) was that cues and courgettes don't like to be repotted any deeper than they were in the seed tray, and that this could lead to problems. I've never been aware of this - I regularly put seedlings in to their new pots a little deeper than they were before, if they've stretched a bit while on the windowsill.

[Sponsored content]