Cucumbers that are bitter are a real stumbling block for many gardeners. No matter how hard you try to create conditions, you get a crop that is only suitable for waste. So what needs to be done in the greenhouse and open field so that the cucumbers are not bitter?
Sometimes you take a cucumber – green, even – you feel its aroma, you look forward to a fresh taste. And suddenly – disappointment: the cucumber turns out to be bitter. Of course, you can put a good face on a bad game – rid him of the skin, in which more bitterness accumulates, but … you wonβt be able to completely avoid the bitter taste. So, let’s take a look in order, what is the reason for the appearance of bitter cucumbers and how to avoid it.
Why do cucumbers taste bitter?
Cucumber plants that are stressed during the growing season may produce bitter-tasting fruits. Usually, due to lack of water or too cold or too high temperature, cucumbers become bitter in taste. But some cucumbers naturally have a bitter taste. Approximately 95% cucumber consists of water. The tiny amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates contained in it has made it a popular dietary product. Where does this bitterness in cucumber come from?
The substance that gives bitterness to cucumber fruits is called cucurbitacin. Cucurbitaceae). Cucurbitacin levels may increase due to environmental stress during the growing season. The appearance of bitterness is the reaction of the plant to any stress, that is, unfavorable growing conditions.
Why cucumbers are bitter in the greenhouse and open field
Cucumber bitterness is a problem that has caused many copies to break. The most popular is lack of moisture. In fact, there is no single answer. What conditions lead to a change in taste?
- insufficient watering
- irregular watering
- watering with cold water (below +20Β°Π‘)
- large temperature fluctuations
- soil compositionΒ
- filling the soil with horse manure (only cow manure is used for cucumbers)
- low-grade seeds that grow into plants that are genetically prone to bitterness, like wild cucumbers
You can find the correct conditions for growing cucumbers here >>>
How to grow cucumbers in a greenhouse and open field so that they donβt get bitter: top 8 tips
Here are recommendations for the optimal cultivation of cucumbers, and below we offer a list of varieties and hybrids of cucumbers that are devoid of bitterness. So, top 7 tips for growing cucumbers without bitterness:
1. Choose a sunny place for cucumbers. Plant cucumbers in a sunny location in soil that is rich in organic matter and well-drained. Slightly elevated beds or hills are ideal for growing cucumbers; the soil will warm up early in the season and stay warm. Give the cucumbers enough room to grow: 30cm apart. You can read about what kind of soil cucumbers need here >>>>
2. Add organic matter when planting. Add seasoned compost and seasoned manure to beds at planting before sowing or planting cucumbers. During the season, mulch cucumbers with aged compost. Compost is rich in nutrients and retains moisture. You can learn more about dressing for cucumbers here>>>
3. Dates of landing. Sow seeds or plant cucumber seedlings after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to 16Β°C. Frost can stress cucumbers. If there is a danger of frost after the cucumbers are in the garden, protect the plants with shelters.
4. Regulate watering. Do not let the soil dry out, especially during flowering and fruiting. The lack of water in the early stages of growth leads to the fact that bitter-tasting compounds are concentrated in cucumbers. Water cucumbers deeply once or twice a week, or use drip irrigation to keep the soil moist but not wet.
5. Mulch cucumber plants. Once the soil temperature reaches 21Β°C, reduce the evaporation of moisture from the soil by mulching the plants with organic mulch. Mulch also reduces weeds that compete for soil moisture and nutrients.
6. Protect cucumbers from high temperatures. Constant high temperatures can stress cucumbers. Provide filtered afternoon shade to cool plantings; plant cucumbers south of tall crops such as corn or sunflowers, or place a frame and stretch fabric over the cucumbers.
7. Harvest on time. Pick cucumbers that are the right size and pick them more often. Cucumbers should be ready for harvest 50-70 days after planting. When the flower falls on cucumbers, the fruit is ready to be harvested. Cucumbers become less tasty when overgrown.
8. Varieties and hybrids of cucumber without bitterness. Choose varieties of cucumbers without a bitter aftertaste. Curcurbitacin levels in cucumbers vary by variety, but also from plant to plant and even from fruit on the same plant. An enzyme called elatherase, also present in cucumbers, can reduce cucurbitacins, but the amount of elatherase can vary from season to season and plant to plant.
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Is it bad to eat bitter cucumbers?
Since heat treatment promotes the breakdown of cucurbitacin, bitter cucumbers can be used for preservation. You can pickle them or make a vegetable salad for the winter.Β
There is another option – bitter cucumbers can be used as an excellent cosmetic product.
Hybrids and varieties of cucumbers genetically without bitterness
If you prefer not to experiment with conditions, but to use the possibilities of modern breeding, choose non-bitter hybrids when buying seeds. In the description of these cucumbers there is a mark βwithout genetic bitternessβ. Now such hybrids can be found in almost all agricultural companies, examples: German F1, Goosebump F1, Masha F1, Petruha F1, Santana F1, Evita F1, Ginga F1 other. You can learn more about choosing sweet varieties and hybrids of cucumbers here>>>.
Read more: Pickled Cucumber Recipes
