Growing Cucumbers and Peppers (Bell)

rlatarche

I've been dabbling with a veggie plot over the past few years and this spring i was fortunate to gain a greenhouse. I've sown 4-5 cucumbers (Emile F1), 3-4 Melons (Cant remember the type although they are canteloupe type the small version of them) and 8/9 Sweet peppers (Bellboy F1). My problem is this: Cucs are just over a foot tall with about 4-5 cucs already growing on them (about an inch long), Melons are probably the same height with no flowers yet although they seem to put more energy into growing then fruiting, and my peppers are only about 4-6" high and not really doing much

Last year I had a cheap polytunnel which succumbed to the winds in the winter however in the summer my peppers (same variety) were at least a foot tall by now.

My question is should i nip off the cucs to try and force the plant into growing more then fruiting or should i just let it do its own thing?

I have an automatic dripper system which supplies the veg in the greenhouse and an automatic vent opener and the temp sits generally between 25-30 degrees celcius most days and drops to about 10 at night (its unheated). The veg sits in compost filled raised beds (4'x2' x 4 in the greenhouse).

Anyone care to share any hints and tips on growing these fruit and veg? Thanks

peter_the_piper

Normally I believe you should take off the cues up to about 18" as they tend to drain the plant before it has time to grow and put roots down.

rlatarche

Makes sense - just wanted other peoples experience before i start chopping things off lol... any ideas whether the same should be done for melons and sweet peppers?

peter_the_piper

I would with the melons but not the pepper.

foxgloves

I've never removed cucumbers. Some years my cukes do better than others, but I got over 30 fruits last year & didn't do any removing, I just let the plants get on with it & when they've produced all they can, they generally let me know by carking it!

rlatarche

Okay so last night i went out and made the decision to remove the cucs from each of the plants - on final counting i had at least 8 per plant - so i cut them off and ate them. nice little finger snacks! Thanks for the advice and hopefully the plants will grow on and produce a bumber crop.

BTW the melon variety is Alvaro.