Are your cucumbers wilting even though you water them every day?
The culprit could be a harmless bush that grows two steps away from the garden bed. We are talking about potatoes.
Yes, you heard right. Potatoes draw potassium and phosphorus from the soil, which are vital for cucumbers.
But that's not all. Its roots secrete toxins that inhibit the growth of its neighbors. If you plant cucumbers nearby, they will produce crooked fruits with bitter skin.
Immediately replant them further away or sprinkle the soil between the crops with crushed chalk - it neutralizes the poisons.
The best neighbors for cucumbers are corn and sunflowers: their stems will become a natural support, and their leaves will protect them from the wind.
Just a week after transplanting, you will notice how the vines come to life and the flowers become larger.
And yes, never put potato peelings in your compost if you're growing cucumbers - it's deadly to their roots.
If replanting is not possible, bury banana peels between the rows - they will replenish the potassium deficiency. And to neutralize toxins, add crushed activated carbon to the soil (3 tablets per hole).
To prevent cucumbers from becoming bitter, spray them with a milk solution (1:10) - the fruits will become juicy.
If the potatoes have already bloomed, cut off their tops: this will slow down the poisoning of the soil.
And never plant cucumbers in place of last year’s potatoes – wait at least two seasons.
