2 questions about my vegetables and house plants...?

Question

I have planted tomatoes and cucumbers in terracota pots. My plants are doing beautiful and have started to flower. I can also see some baby cucumbers growing. I have two questions:

1. My baby cucumbers are getting holes in them. I cannot see any bugs or worms on the plants, but there are some ants on often seen on the plants. I want to know any solution for these holes that seem like some worm has gotten into the cucumbers. Is ants causing these holes?

2. Since my plants are in pots and are not getting natural nutrients from the soil. I want to know if it is ok to use some mixture of NPK, i.e. a mixture of salts nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, boron etc. Mine one says 2 tsp per 10 litres of water every two weeks. I want to know if i use any such material/chemicals for my houseplants, do my plants still remain organic or not?

I will appreciate your help. Thank you.

Answer 1

1.  My guess is that you have cucumber beetles, as they often damage the cucumber fruits.  The reason why you do not see them is because they are more nocturnal in nature.  During the day they will hide out in the flowers, under leaves, or even in surrounding plants.  Here is a link to what they look like:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucumber_be...

It could be either species -- I usually get both in my garden.

2.  It will no longer be 'organic' -- if you are going to go by OMRI certification rules.  However, if you are not going to be putting on a true-blue organic fertilizer, this is the best way to go.  Do not apply it right before you are going to harvest your produce though.