Cucumbers suden wilt after applying fertilizer

[HiPoha]

Oh no. I thought my cucumber plants could use more fertilizer since they appeared kind of skinny along the stem and growing a little slow. I gave them a half handful of 16-16-16 fertilizer yesterday. This morning all the leaves were wilted and it looks like I killed them. I then went to scoop off the fertilizer from the soil of all the other plants I gave it to. I was wondering if anybody would know what else I can do to save my plants.

[halleone]

I side-dressed most of my garden with Triple 16 about 10 days ago and made sure I watered it in really well; every thing seems OK. Next year I am going to try Seastart, hoping to use a more natural fertilizer.

[HiPoha]

OK, I gave lots of water today. In one planter I had two cuke plants and one definitely has died, the other looks like it may recover. My tomatoes did not seem to have been affected by the fertilizer. This bag of 16-16-16 had been sitting a while outside and was wet, maybe something got concentrated in an adversely manner for the plants. I'll just stick to the Miracle Grow all purpose fertilizer that I have been using till now.

[kevn357]

I don't see why a triple 16 would kill them unless it was applied right on the stem. Watering it in can wash it all away depending on your soil type.

[meadowyck]

HiPoha are you able to take pictures and post them, as that will help folk way better in trying to assist you.

[HiPoha]

Photos posted on original post above. I think I have the damage under control now. Just keep giving more water. I'll be uprooting the damaged plants and add fresh soil for replanting. I guess such things can happen. My guess is that since the fertilizer contains 7% sulfur, maybe it combined with the other stuff to form sulfuric acid or something else.

[kevn357]

Without knowing more details just make sure the soil is moist. Growing in containers in high heat will dry out very quick. Where in Hawaii do u live? Does it rain often are are you in a dry area? Triple 16 will not kill your cukes if it is applied a few inches from the stem. The more water the more you have to fertilize in those containers to get good growth depending on your soil mix.

[HiPoha]

Thanks for your concern Kevn. I water my plants twice everyday. It does get very hot where my plants are because in addition to the sunshine, there is a reflective wall behind the plants. I have to say that the fertilizer I used caused the sudden death of my cucumbers. I have my fingers crossed that my tomatillos will survive since they took some of it too. I am not saying all the triple 16 are bad, in this case, just my bag, because it might have been spoiled by being out in the sun so long.
My garden setup is shown in the photo below, the affected plants are in the first four blue planters from the left. This photo was taken before the incident.

[b54red]

When you apply a high nitrogen fertilizer you have to water it extra or you can get fertilizer burn. Farmers have that happen sometimes when they side dress a crop and don't get enough rain. I think the plant just absorbs the fertilizer in too strong a concentration. It can even happen with natural fertilizers like chicken manure.

[riceke]

HiPoa...same thing happened to me only with peppers. They were looking a little yellow in the leaves and I thought I would perk them up with a little blood meal. Came out to check them 3 days later and all the leaves had fallen off and were around the base of the plant. I guess I over did it. One thing to remember that I learned is not to expect a plant to change immediately but rather a little bit of fertilizer over a period is a better way.