what's wrong with my cucumbers/zucchinie/squash?!?!

Ok so I have cucumbers (marketmore and pickling), squash (spaghetti and acorn) and zucchini (green and yellow) and they are not looking too great. Are they goners? Should I just replant? Is it too late to replant? I'm in zone 6b (I think! haha). We did have a few unseasonable cold nights here last week (got down to 35 I think, but no frost) - could that have done it? I'm new to all this so I have no idea! here are some pictures of them:

These are the pickling cucumbers (I did cut off the leaves that were really bad already - they were basically completely brown, and these just seem to be getting worse)






Here are the marketmore




Zucchini or squash - I don't remember which one now, but they all look about the same! )


Also, my one pepper plant has a leaf thats a bit funky - any ideas about this as well? is it ok? everything else seems healthy - am I just panicking like a new mother? haha


Thanks in advance for your help!

Peachiee77,

I can't help you with your questions because I am too new to gardening (first time this year). The one thing I did want tell you is that I completely understand your feelings about feeling like a new parent. You put in so much effort to raise these little plants to adulthood and when they get sick you want to do everything in your power to make them feel better.

I know that you will get some good answers from the experienced gardeners who participate on this forum. It's really excellent that you posted such good photos.

I'll keep monitoring this thread to find out what to do in your situation. I am also raising pickling cucumbers.

I first want to tell you that the plant look like they are putting forth new green leaves so that great news. As for what is causing the damage I'm not 100% sure. I am having the same problem but with just my peppers I think that it is due to the strong winds and rain that we have been having here. I would not worry to much until the plants stop putting forth new leaves that look healthy. Good luck to you!

Peachie do you think it could be a cold weather thing? I am bringing this up so others can also chime in. I am thinking that it was/is too cold still for your cucumbers and squash/zucchini. The book says to plant the cucumbers a week after last spring frost. The squash/zucchini should be planted two weeks after last spring frost.

Your photos are very good and clear!

I agree with Tricia...they look like they were cold. But the new growth is very encouraging. If they were mine I'd cut the old stuff off.

CC

The new growth looks good. Squash and especially cuke old foliage often gets really ratty looking. I often will just pinch or clip off the yucky looking leaves.
Are you water the plant or the soil underneath? Are you giving too much water? The plants need little water when they are so small.

Mine looked pretty much the same for several weeks after planting, but then the hot weather showed up and no more problems.

It was the right time past the last frost date, we have just had some very strange weather here! It was quite cold for a few days, which was weird!

I am not watering from below, just normal old school watering! haha

So should I cut of the leaves that don't look well and just let them go? or should I plant new ones?

Thanks for all the advice already!

I would take off the terrible looking leaves and see what the new growth looks like. Once the temperature gets going towards warm, they should get perky and overflowing.

peachiee77 wrote:It was the right time past the last frost date, we have just had some very strange weather here! It was quite cold for a few days, which was weird!

I am not watering from below, just normal old school watering! haha

So should I cut of the leaves that don't look well and just let them go? or should I plant new ones?

Thanks for all the advice already!

I think we are all having strange weather! We got cold again here and I haven't had a chance to plant my warmer weather crops. It probably won't take too long for your plants to bounce back and like so many have said, your new growth is so pretty! We all have things happen with our plants and having each other to help with the problems is what is so nice about this site!

I'm in the 'cool weather camp'. A little sunshine will perk them up.

Your one pepper leaf may have a bug bite, but the rest of the plant looks good, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Agreed. The plant is putting forth healthy looking new leaves. You can take a scissors to clip the ratty looking bits (I'd keep the rest of the leaves so they can gather sunshine and help your plant heal.)

Don't overwater -- let them dry out a little. Warmer weather and patience should do the trick.