I recently got some Straight Eight cucumber seedlings in a 4-inch pot, and they're looking healthy with a couple of first leaves and some smaller second leaves starting to emerge. I plan to plant them at the base of a trellis, but I'm wondering—should I gently separate the three seedlings to give them some space, or is it better to keep them in a cluster and train them as they grow to maximize sunlight?
3 Answers
Yeah, those roots are super sensitive! Just leaving them together might actually be safer. Plus, if you're concerned, maybe run a loop of your drip line around them for better water coverage. Good luck with your cucumbers!
Sounds like a solid plan! Just keep in mind that by planting them together, they’ll be sharing the same nutrients and water supply. If you do keep two, try training them in opposite directions on the trellis, and make sure to keep up with watering and fertilizing to help them compete. You might need to get creative with your watering setup!
I’d suggest not separating them. It's better to keep them in a group since cucumber roots can get really sensitive to any disturbance. Instead, plant them together and maybe let nature take its course. You can always remove one later if it starts lagging behind.