Dying cucumber plants

[George the Pigman]

The last couple of years I have bought two cucumber plants and planted them in Tomorite grow bags. Last year both died very early on (just wilted) and I replaced them with two plants which grew OK. The same thing is happening this year. Anyone have an idea what is happening? Could it be the Tomorite grow bag?

[George the Pigman]

[hippydave]

they dont like to be planted deeper than original depth when first grown, they dont like being planted with new soil up to the stem, i plant them with at least an inch of original potting above the soil level.

[Jayb]

Temperature too cool, soil too wet? They can be very sulky.

[George the Pigman]

Noticed today that one of the plants had collapsed and the stem at the soil juncture was soft with white mould on it. The other doesn't have any obvious rot but the stem half way up has a constriction in it that maybe suggests something happening inside.
When I got the Levingtons grow bag and opened it up it was soaking wet inside - should it be like that?

[kt.]

Sounds like the compost is too wet this time.  They will also wilt if they are outside unheated at the moment due to very low temperatures.  Mine are still in the house, currently about 5ft.  OH is going nuts but these late frosts and cold temperatures will kill them.  I tried putting them out 2 weeks ago but they wilted and almost died overnight.  I brought them inside but only 3 of 5 recovered.  RIP the other 2.  These are my last plants indoors with the remainder either in the plot or unheated greenhouse.

[Tee Gee]

Noticed today that one of the plants had collapsed and the stem at the soil juncture was soft with white mould on it.

Classic sign of neck rot

The other doesn't have any obvious rot but the stem half way up has a constriction in it that maybe suggests something happening inside.

What do mean "construction"?

When I got the Levingtons grow bag and opened it up it was soaking wet inside - should it be like that?

No! is there any drainage holes in the base of the bag?

The photos on this link will show you how I counter 'neck rot'

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Cucumber/Cucumber.htm

Another way of doing it is to form a pyramid/cone of soil up the stem and water around the base of the mound this keeps the stem relatively dy!

[George the Pigman]

The constriction (not construction) was a narrowing of the stem about 2 inches from the base which looked like either it had been damaged or some fungal infection had spread up the water channels of the plant.
The bag has drainage holes at the base.
Well I have pulled the plants and will look for new ones but will let the growbag compost dry out a bit before putting anything in them. Does look like neck rot. I have put the remains of the one healthy top in water to see if it roots.
Thanks for the tips!

[antipodes]

To be honest, you get better results with cukes often by direct sowing. Try in a warm place, with a cloche. Like courgettes, I find that they don't like variations in temperature or a lot of wind until they are a sturdy little plant. Keep them well covered until they are at least 20 cm high.