Day 57
UPDATE#13
Grower update
Update #13
I will enjoy these later today (assuming I can taste them with a stuffy nose)
GrowLog
SuccessfulMini Munch Cucumbers with Trellis Training and Hand Pollination
Grow log by Shawn · Original thread
13 visual updates20 photos57 replies
View recapCrop🥒Cucumber
VarietyMini Munch
MethodAeroGarden hydroponics
EquipmentAeroGarden Ultra, external trellis, Be the Bee pollinator, germination dome used as a tendril guide
Plants1
AudienceAdvanced
What you can learnA detailed compact-cucumber diary covering placement, trellising, leaf symptoms, nutrient maintenance, pollination, fruit development, harvest, and unexplained late decline.
Actions:1 Planting1 Transplant1 Training1 Pollination1 Pruning
Useful practices
- moving the pod toward the front for space
- guiding tendrils toward a trellis
- performing reservoir rinse-and-refill maintenance
- hand-pollinating flowers
- removing dried leaves and flowers
- harvesting cucumbers while tender
Problems encountered
- yellowing starter leaves
- upward leaf curl
- later cucumbers yellowed
- softened
- and died
- possible temperature or airflow disturbance
- broken tendrils
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Conversation
S
I have no clue what is happening but my little cukes are yellowing and getting soft and dying. I know my mother was in there and I wonder if you had the heater in that room too hot or if she did not use it and shut the vents off and it was too cold. I know she likes it cold so I am thinking that. Also maybe the airflow was not getting in as she had a basket on top of my "light shield". I changed the water and added nutes when I was supposed to and they are not coming back. I think she was playing with them. I found two tendrils broken off the trellis. I may have to start over, I do have seeds to do that. I am made as these are so good. I also yelled at her on Christmas when she came over. I found her messing with my herbs in the kitchen. She was rubbing all the leaves on my Oregano and Basil. So much so that I had to cut those off because they were damaged. Anyway, I will see how these do in the next few days, if not good them I will terminate and start fresh.
S
I have NO clue but these are not coming back. SO I am terminating these. I am going to Dump, Sanitize and replant. Good thing I won't have a visitor any time soon again.
C
So sorry you lost your cukes! It was an interesting project.
M
I’m so bummed for you Shawn! They were doing so Well!
S
Tell me about it. I did have the Grim Reaper over not so long ago LOL
M
I think for the Reaper’s next visit all gardens should be quarantined in the garage for the duration, lol.
S
I think you are correct. Too many gardens have died around the Reaper
S
Shawn, I ordered some mini munch seeds today for a project this fall. I am so glad I read your advice on using 2 mg nutes. I noticed on the Totally Tomatoes site, they listed a very weak fertilizer recommendation. Of course, I will need another Bounty for that project!
S
I actually got the 2mg from @cornne. She has grown them more then me. I actually grew them because of her success.
S
I have learned SO much here. And I really appreciate it!
Day 54
UPDATE#12
Grower update
Update #12
Conversation
U
they are doing well!
Day 45
UPDATE#11
Grower update
Update #11
It is growing and plumping
Conversation
U
joy and Excitement are in the air at Shawn's..watch out for munchers aka Hubby
S
I just took a look and it grew almost twice as much overnight
U
Yeh they do that..and then when they are harvested , overnight others start to plump.
S
I can't wait
S
I had my first Mini Munch for lunch. It was so yummy. I ate it so fast I never took a picture, oops, next time. Looking forward to more.
U
I bet it had a lot of juice and was crisp!
S
I took a look last night and I have so many cukes growing. I have to get in that room today to see is any can be harvested. My mom is staying in there so I will have to sneak in when she is out.
Day 38
UPDATE#10
Grower update
Update #10
Actions taken
PollinationUsed the Be the Bee device to pollinate the cucumber flowers.
PruningCleaned out dried leaves and spent flowers.
I used the Bee the Pollinator. I also cleaned up the dried up leaves and flowers. And them latching on.
Conversation
S
There are so many tiny cukes. One is a little over an inch and is starting to plump.
Day 30
UPDATE#9
Grower update
Update #9
Hmm, do I do anything to them?
Conversation
U
I find that using my Bee around the flower and unfertilized cuke produces more cukes. Even though the pollen doesn;t have to be carried male/female, I think just upsetting it a bit within the indiviual flower makes a difference. I dunno. A true plant grower would probably chuckle and shake their head at that one. But, hey..it works for me!
Day 27
UPDATE#8
Grower update
Update #8
Any day now I should have flowers on the cukes
Conversation
U
This is the project one watches every day..twice a day because things happen fast!.
S
I did a dump, rinse and refill today as well as add 2ml nutes.
Day 26
UPDATE#7
Grower update
Update #7
Actions taken
TrainingPlaced a dome to guide the first tendril toward the trellis.
I mentioned a few posts back that I did not have any tendrils yet and Corinne stated the following: I got vines in week 4, so don;t be surprised if you wake up tomorrow or the day after and find a vine wrapped around something! LOL Well look what I found last night. Apparently it grew sometime from when I looked in the morning and last night when I looked. So in order to try and get it to go toward the trellis I placed a dome on it to aide it its journey there.
Conversation
U
They grab everything, and pop out of nowhere!
M
Here it goes! Exciting!!!
S
I found another one before bed too. EXCITING!!@!!!
Day 23
UPDATE#6
Grower update
Update #6
But look .. Are these Cucumbers starting?
Conversation
U
Oooo! Big Yellow blossoms any day now!
S
I am excited for them
S
@cornne, Do you cut off any of the large leaves to help give energy to the cukes?
U
If they are crisping up.
S
Ok great! I will keep an eye out. No tendrils YET
U
I got vines in week 4, so don;t be surprised if you wake up tomorrow or the day after and find a vine wrapped around something! LOL
Day 19
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
Three pictures...Here is a top view. My one large leaf has a yellow thin border and will watch that. Here you can see the starter leaves and my first large leaf is curled up. I may Here are some new sprouts of leaves?
Conversation
M
It still looks relatively healthy. You don’t appear to have the strange dotting I have.
S
We both have the starter dotting. My first true (upcurled) leaf has a little but I added some extra plain water when I saw it. Maybe the nutes are too strong OR the lights maybe too close?
Day 13
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
Here is my Munch this morning. I will also be adding 2ml Nutes today. @cornne , is it normal for the leaves to turn upwards a little (see pic #2)? Also, the starter leaves have yellow on them. I am not too worried about those but hope the true ones do not get that. [/url][/div]
Conversation
U
I did have them turning. I make sure I keep the nutrients at 2ml when the leaves start acting wonky, and I don;t top off with nutes, but with plain water. The project is so sensitive!
S
Yesterday I fed 2ml nutes. I did not do a R&R since it was only 14 days. How often do you R&R with these @cornne ? Oh I have not had to top off yet but when I do I will use plain water.
U
I R&R every 14 days because the nutrients are so 'touch and go-ish". I use the syphon so it is not that bad. I was off schedule last time because the nutrient seemed to be too high and I had to do a plain water R&R and then add nutes after a few days. The plants are thriving today after this week's feed, though.
S
I will R&R before each feeding for now on. if i see stress before this 14 day period ends I will R&R w/ plain water and nutes a few days later
U
that is what "I" do. But I don;t know your tap water..so lease play it by ear and 'read' your plants, Shawn.
S
If I get concerned or worried, I will post a picture for you to help
Day 9
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
Actions taken
TransplantMoved the cucumber pod closer to the front of the unit.
I took your advice @cornne and moved the pod closer to the front. I have my first real cucumber leaf and am 10 days in.
Conversation
M
Looking good! I hope I’m not going to overcrowd mine by planting 2 pods.
U
Looks good...that true leaf emerging! My present project has 2 pods, Mary.
Day 2
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
Nothing that exciting I know but my first Cuke is up and over the label!@cornne , is the placement of the pod in a good spot for it to grow? (see previous post)
Conversation
U
She's coming up! As for placement, that is where I put mine so that they would have a whole deck to creep across to the right wall. Do you think if you placed it more towards the front it would have more deck space to walk towards the back wall? I don't know if it makes any difference because the cukes grew on the vine out of light range when they were on the trellis. Toss a Coin!
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
Not archivedOpen original URL
Not archivedOpen original URL
Actions taken
PlantingReported planting the Mini Munch seed the previous day.
So .... I planted the seed yesterday. Today a stem (so I assume it is) starting. There is also a picture of the trellis behind the machine. @cornne, is the placement of the pod in a good spot in the machine? If not where would the best placement be?@cornne, you, MaryL and myself should have done a GAL.