On Jul 23, 10:12*pm, Todd wrote:
On 07/23/2012 09:55 PM, David Hare-Scott wrote:









Todd wrote:
Hi All,

In my little garden I have Zukes (4) and Lemon Cucumbers (3).
Last night we had three thunder showers roll through. *From
the noise I feared hail. *Looking through the windows, my
plants were nearly underwater. *I feared for them. *(Bad
enough I eat their children.)

When I was able to assess the damage in the morning, I
was shocked that not only was there no damage, but the
stinkers had actually grown about 20% over yesterday!

Am I under watering? *Or is this just a good one time
thing and adding more water risks root rot?

Many thanks,
-T

Cucurbits will shown signs of underwatering quickly as they will wilt,
luckily they also recover quickly. *If yours are not wilting in the
afternoon they are not under watered. *Be careful with watering that you
don't wet the leaves or splash mud up on to them as they are very
susceptible to mildew on the leaves, especially when the humidity is
high. If you do water more make it few deep waterings not many shallow
ones. *In principle thunder storms add nitrogen to the soil as the
lightning fixes atmospheric nitrogen into soluble compounds but I doubt
that you would see results overnight from one storm!

D

Okay, a few good soakings spread apart, rather than server light
waterings. *I can adjust my timer.

Our humidity ranges between 10 and 20% (high desert). They wilt
slightly during the worst heat of the day. *Their branches
have taken to sticking straight up. *Leaves too at 45deg
angles. *I presumed they caught a freight when they discovered
what I was up to.

Maybe all that water soaked my compose better into the soil.
That would add a lot of nitrogen. *I may not have watered
my compose in enough when I laid it down. *Coupled with
the nitrogen from the three storms, it might explain
things.

You should see all the flowers on them too! *I have
noticed that my Zukes tend to have growth spurts.
(They get any bigger and they will probably try to
kick my ass next time I get my knife too close to their
offspring.)

I am guessing at the 20%. *I did not make a measurement.

Thank you for the advice!

-T

Most plants that have to drink treated water all year are ecstatic
when they can get a good fix of clean sky water.
At least that's what I have always observed with my plants. This is
So Calif coastal -- basically a desert, with a rainy season (maybe)
between Nov and March, and nothing thereafter.

Sounds like your happy rain water soaked right in, which it would do
unless one's soil is semi-impervious.
Be grateful to the Rain Gods g