How many runner bean plants in a 40cm square pot? And what else with cucs? Pic.

valk_scot

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Mulch sheet would do the same job. Whatever mulch sheet is :rotfl:

Stick some of it in the middle of the bean pot as well, they really like moist roots.
That's a very good tip actually, whenever beans are planted in a circle or row, stick as much cardboard down as possible in the middle, it keeps weeds away and keeps the soil nicely moist. It really works well.
I think I read it, or saw it somewhere years ago and I've done it ever since. Makes a big difference.

I grow a few poached egg plants round the base of my bean beds. Keeps the soil covered and attracts lots of insects. A good layer of mushroom compost works as well though.

aliasojo

valk_scot wrote: »

These cucumbers are incredibly tiny to be planted out, surely?

I would use a good layer of stones or even a brick in the base under the compost, for ballast, but you do need a deep pot if using a brick.

Are they? Have I killed them before I even start?

They are in a very sheltered bit but I'll cover them as you suggest anyway. I have more in the blowaway as back up just in case. I'll repot those into bigger pots and leave them in there for now.

I have stones in the bottom of the pots. I usually have a couple of inches worth 20mm-40mm size stones (old stuff that we had at our borders that I washed and am using in the pots now).

valk_scot wrote: »

I grow a few poached egg plants ......

Ok not sure if you're just on the wind up now. :rotfl: Will go google.

aliasojo

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Mulch sheet would do the same job. Whatever mulch sheet is :rotfl:

It's basically just black plastic sheeting cut to size, folded and packaged neatly and given the name 'mulch sheet'. £1 from Poundland.

Any

valk_scot wrote: »

These cucumbers are incredibly tiny to be planted out, surely? I'd be waiting till they were at least six inches or so tall, with at least two pairs of fully developed main leaves. You'd better give them a bit of shelter...you can make bell cloches out of 1.5L fizzy drinks bottles with the base cut off.

Books advise that you shouldn't plant cucs into their final position later then 3 weeks from seedling as they really really do not like moving??

I do think that it is probably too early to put them out though, I would defo cover them for few weeks.

I only started mine this last week so I don't have to put them out until the second half of May.. I myself am also just a beginner though!

newsgroup_monkey

Any wrote: »

Books advise that you shouldn't plant cucs into their final position later then 3 weeks from seedling as they really really do not like moving??

I do think that it is probably too early to put them out though, I would defo cover them for few weeks.

I only started mine this last week so I don't have to put them out until the second half of May.. I myself am also just a beginner though!

I found this last year also, but they will perk up again if you give them some food. I've got this problem again - mine are around 2 foot long at the moment so they're going to have to be transplanted.

I found if you transplant them into compost, they don't complain as much as being planted in the ground.