Cucumber seeds and plants are very sensitive to over-watering
Cucumber seeds are very sensitive to over-watering and generally will not germinate if the soil is too wet. Once they sprout, cucumber seedlings need ample amounts of water but can easily die if their roots become saturated. Cucumbers are deep-rooted plants that require consistent watering in order to produce fruit. Without an adequate supply of water, the fruit will be inedible and bitter. However, cucumbers should not be watered excessively as they do not tolerate standing water well and plants may become diseased or die.
Cut back on watering
Cucumbers are fast growing plants in warm weather, so it’s difficult to cut back on watering once the seedlings start growing. They need a lot of water to produce a good crop, but they’re also susceptible to wilting and diseases when the soil is soggy. Similarly, pests like slugs love damp soil around cucumber plants.
Well draining soil
Cucumber seedlings can be very finicky when it comes to the type of soil they’re in.
Why? Well, cucumber seedlings are very sensitive to over-watering. If the soil doesn’t drain well and water is allowed to pool around the seedling roots, then this could result in root rot and ultimately, root death. This is a sure fire way to kill off your cucumber plants!
So what does it mean for a soil to be well draining? Basically, a well draining soil will allow excess water to drain away from the surface of the garden bed, so that it doesn’t pool around the roots of your plants.
Ideally, you want a light and fluffy soil. A good way to check if you have well draining soil is by feeling it—it should feel light and airy between your fingers, not heavy or mucky like clay-like soils do.
Germinating cucumbers in moist paper towels
It sounds like you’re giving your plants too much water at the beginning. If the soil is too wet, it can be hard for a seedling to sprout. The trick is to keep the soil wet enough so that the seeds will germinate, but not so wet that they’ll drown—a fine line indeed.
One way to get around this problem is to germinate your cucumber seeds in moist paper towels and then plant them in moistened soil. This method allows you to have more control over when your seedlings actually sprout, rather than depending on the weather and soil conditions outside.
To do this, mix some potting soil with water until it’s damp (but not soaked). Fill a small container or tray with this mixture and set it aside while you soak paper towels in water until they are fully damp (but again, not soaked). Spread these out on a plate or another flat surface and place three or four cucumber seeds on each towel. Cover them with another damp towel or layer of paper towels and leave them somewhere warm until the seeds begin to germinate (usually within about 5 days). Once they begin sprouting their first leaves, transfer each seedling into its own individual pot filled with pre-moistened potting soil. Keep these pots moist by watering every few days as needed—this should give them just enough moisture for optimal growth without drowning them in H2O.
Once you’re ready to transplant your seedlings outdoors, wait until night time temperatures are consistently above 55 degrees Fahrenheit (this step depends on where you live) and all danger of frost has passed. Make sure each hole gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day before planting!
Use a seed starting mix
The second option is to use a commercial seed starting mix. These mixes are available from your local greenhouse or commercial garden supply shop, and they will generally contain vermiculite and peat moss. The advantage of using one of these mixes is that it is sterile and has the correct pH for growing cucumbers. It can also be purchased pre-moistened, so all you need to do is sprinkle the seeds on top and cover them with clear plastic wrap (to increase humidity). Remove the plastic wrap once your seedlings have emerged, but keep the soil damp until you’re ready to transplant your seedlings into your garden or pots.
Grow cucumber seedlings in pots
If you are still having problems with your cucumber seedlings, try growing them in pots instead of directly in the ground. You can start them off indoors and then move them out when they have grown a bit. Growing in pots is also a good option if you don’t have much space. There are many different types of potting soil, so do some research and find one that works best for you. Don’t forget to water your plants regularly!
And lastly, if all else fails then just get some more seeds and start again! Keep calm and carry on.
Be careful not to overwater
Watering is a crucial component of gardening. It’s recommended to water cucumber seedlings consistently during the germination period, but then you should be careful not to overwater your cucumbers or they will die. You also shouldn’t plant cucumber seeds in soil that doesn’t drain well or plant them in pots that don’t drain well, because then they will die. You see, cucumber seedlings are sensitive to over watering, as are most plants and humans, who also like water but can’t drink too much of it or they’ll die. So try not to over water them just like you wouldn’t want someone to over water you because it would make you feel more dead than normal and be uncomfortable and sad for no reason.