Soft or Prickly Cucumbers: Causes and Solutions

You can figure out why cucumbers you've planted in a greenhouse or outdoors have become soft or prickly yourself. In most cases, agricultural errors are to blame. Common causes are related to the inability to consistently maintain a comfortable microclimate for the seedlings. Effective home remedies are selected based on an examination of the soil and plants.

It is worth understanding the reasons

Cucumber is a vegetable crop that is sensitive to temperature, moisture, and soil acidity. Sudden fluctuations, either up or down, slow fruit set. The list of negative factors that can turn crunchy cucumbers soft includes the following:

• tomatoes are too close together;
• diseases of bacterial or infectious nature;
• excess or lack of nutrients in the soil;
• cucumber bushes are located too close;
• lack of sunlight;
• prolonged drought.

Care should be taken when watering cucumber plants. The lower the level of impurities in the liquid, the greater the benefit for the seedlings. The vegetable does not tolerate temperature shock well.

The summer resident makes mistakes

Maintaining a watering schedule will determine the rate of fruit formation. There are no universal recommendations. The schedule depends on the characteristics of the chosen variety, the temperature conditions in the region, and the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Water two to three times a week. Depending on the cucumber variety, the water consumption per square meter is 1-2 liters. First, check the soil moisture level. If the seedlings have not absorbed all the water, it is best to postpone this procedure.

Insufficient fresh air flow or constant drafts are common mistakes in both greenhouses and open ground. Stagnant air leads to the so-called greenhouse effect, which activates pathogenic flora. Conversely, drafts weaken the plant's defenses. Failure to maintain the minimum distance between plantings. Wanting to increase the future harvest, gardeners plant cucumbers too close together.

Without sufficient space, roots become weak. They have a harder time absorbing moisture and nutrients. The result is soft, small fruits. Failure to maintain proper spacing between plantings leads to another problem: root rot. "Crowding" is a catalyst for the development of seedling diseases. Pathogens can easily migrate from one plant to another. The minimum spacing between plantings in a greenhouse bed ranges from 15 to 20 cm. Other gardening mistakes:

You may be interested in:

What to do if cucumber leaves are wilting: how to treat them
Many people are familiar with the problem of wilted cucumber leaves. The cause may be improper…Read more…

1. Failure to maintain proper temperature control – the vegetable thrives in temperatures between 18°C ​​and 22°C. Avoid any fluctuations in temperature. Even short-term frosts or drought will initially soften the fruit and eventually cause it to wilt. If the weather gets very cold, install a heater in the greenhouse. Seedlings in the open ground should be covered with protective film.
2. Nutrient imbalances – do not apply fertilizer without prior analysis. Soil acidity, cucumber variety, and humidity are parameters that require detailed analysis. Mistakes can delay fruit set and weaken the plant's immune system.

Over time Leaves on the shoots turn yellow and wither. Excessive bush growth is also dangerous.

Fungal diseases of seedlings

Fusarium is a fungal disease that causes changes in fruit firmness. It's common in greenhouses, but it often affects vegetables grown outdoors. The fungus can lie dormant in the soil for many years, even living on dirty garden tools. If gardeners don't preventatively treat seeds and tools, infection is inevitable. High humidity is a catalyst for the development of fusarium.

You may be interested in:

Is it necessary to remove the runners from cucumbers when growing in a greenhouse or open ground?
To achieve a good harvest, gardeners try to use a variety of agricultural techniques. The question of…Read more…

The first sign is sudden yellowing of the leaf blades. Over the next 4-6 days, the fungus attacks the stems. Another fungal disease that causes softening of the fruit is powdery mildew. The pathogen slows photosynthesis in the plant. The clinical picture includes the appearance of noticeable white spots on the leaves. Preventative measures can help prevent fungal diseases:

• You cannot plant the same variety of cucumbers in one bed more than 3 times in a row;
• the top layer of soil is changed annually;
• Affected seedlings are immediately removed and disposed of by fire.

If a fungal pathogen does infect a crop in a greenhouse or open ground, prepare a therapeutic solution. Add 1 teaspoon of copper sulfate and 3 tablespoons of ash and chalk to 1 liter of clean, warm water. Mix until smooth. Use the solution to water the roots of the plant. Treatment lasts 14 days. Once the symptoms have disappeared, sprinkle all the seedlings with dry lime.

Infectious and bacterial diseases of seedlings

Rot is a common disease that changes the physical characteristics of the fruit. Depending on the moisture level, the immunity of the seedlings, and the agricultural practices used, it can occur in several forms. Young stems are affected by gray mold, while the green mass and root system are affected by white mold. Brown spot is a more serious concern. The pathogen attacks fruit at any stage of growth.

In regions with unstable weather conditions, hybrid varieties are chosen. Regular soil loosening and digging are performed if signs of disease appear in the area. Regular inspection, carried out every 2-3 days, will reduce the likelihood of pest reactivation. The sooner a gardener notices the first symptoms, the easier it is to deal with them. Particular attention should be paid to the gardening tools used and the techniques used to use them.

Prevention and more

Sterility is paramount. After each treatment, equipment is treated with copper sulfate. The greenhouse walls are treated with a similar solution at the first signs of disease. One-third of the solution is used per square meter of greenhouse walls. Affected plants are immediately removed for disposal. Storing leftovers from previous harvests and other waste near the garden beds is prohibited. Failure to observe basic hygiene standards will lead to rapid growth of pathogens in the area.

You may be interested in:

Chicken manure for fertilizing cucumbers: application technology
Organic gardeners often ask how to fertilize cucumbers with chicken manure in their garden. The concern is…Read more…

In a large greenhouse, windows and misters are installed. This system allows for controlled humidity levels and ensures a uniform flow of fresh air. Caution is required when using chemicals to combat bacterial and infectious diseases. Dosage is indicated on the packaging. It's better to use a little too little than too much. There are no safe chemicals. Over time, toxins accumulate in the seedlings.

Cucumbers become soft due to internal and external factors. Cultivation errors weaken the plant's immunity and slow down the rate of fruit set. Cold or heat can cause nutrient deficiencies, which can also negatively impact future yields. To save the crop, first inspect the plantings. This will help determine why cucumbers planted in a greenhouse or in the open ground are soft.