Bitter squash is a problem that many gardeners face when they start harvesting. Various reasons can provoke bitterness. Therefore, it is so important to follow the rules for growing zucchini. It is also useful to know in advance the reasons that lead to the appearance of bitterness in vegetables.
Why are zucchini bitter?
Mistakes often made by gardeners cause a change in the taste of culture. There are the most banal and common ones that you should know in advance so as not to commit them.
Variety Features
In order not to face the problem of bitter zucchini, choose the right variety. There are varieties of vegetables that, even with proper and careful care, have bitter flesh.
It is best to choose the sweetest types, which include:
- Starling. The fruits are elongated, about 25 cm long, there is a slight ribbing (almost imperceptible). Sufficiently dense pulp, tender and juicy, the taste is sweet, bitter notes are completely absent.
- Sorcerer. The variety is universal, with delicate pulp, pleasant aroma and taste. Zucchini is suitable for both fresh use and preparations. Subject to compliance with all the rules of agricultural technology, bitterness does not appear.
- Pharaoh. The variety is early, the fruits of an elongated shape are dark green in color. The pulp is sweet and tender, there is no bitterness. In length, the fruits reach 60 cm, weight is about 0,8 kg. One plant brings about 9 kg of yield.
These varieties are considered hardy, not afraid of adverse growing conditions. But they also require proper agricultural technology, in violation of which an unpleasant bitter aftertaste may appear.
Incorrect watering
Due to moderate soil moisture, plants receive all the elements that are important for fruiting. The culture is not demanding on the level of moisture. However, in the absence of a sufficient amount of water, nitrates and nitrogen compounds accumulate in the fruits.
The presence of a large amount of nitrogen causes bitterness in vegetables. The risk increases in the following situations:
- sunny weather, prolonged period of drought;
- zucchini are planted nearby with plants that take a lot of moisture from the soil;
- a crop is grown in a field where it is difficult to provide regular moisture.
You can avoid drying out of the soil if you set the optimal irrigation regime. First, intensive hydration is performed for two days, and a break is taken for the next two. Thanks to this scheme, the culture quickly gets used to constantly receiving the required amount of moisture.
Lack of sunlight
Like any pumpkin culture, zucchini needs a lot of light as well as air. These conditions are necessary for the proper growth of the plant.
If you make beds with zucchini next to large bushes, tall trees or a fence, they experience a lot of stress. As a result of the lack of the right amount of sunlight, a bitter aftertaste appears in the fruits.
Diseases and pests
Pests or fungal types of infections can provoke the appearance of bitterness in fruits. Insects injure vegetables and contribute to the spread of the disease. Most often, the culture is affected by fusarium or anthracnose.
You can notice the disease by the following signs:
- anthracnose – rounded spots of a yellow-brown hue are formed on the foliage;
- fuzarioz – The lower leaves turn yellow and begin to dry out.
If the fight against the disease does not bring results, do not wait. Get rid of this bush immediately. If you delay, the disease can spread to the entire site and crops growing nearby.
It is much easier to carry out prevention than to try to cure a plant:
- compliance with crop rotation rules;
- cleaning the lashes after the harvest has been harvested;
- regular weeding and removal of weeds;
- removal of bushes when infected.
Non-compliance with the feeding schedule
The taste of fruits is directly affected by an excess of certain substances. This problem is often faced by gardeners who prefer to use natural types of fertilizers, which include:
- compost;
- humus;
- note.
These fertilizers contain high concentrations of unrefined nitrogen compounds, including potassium and magnesium, which cause a bitter taste in fruits.
The soil and water contain heavy metals, which give an unpleasant aftertaste, accumulate in zucchini. As a result, such fruits become dangerous and are not recommended for consumption.
Unsuitable neighbors
The taste of zucchini can be negatively affected by the proximity to certain crops. It is best to plant such plants as far as possible:
- potatoes;
- radish;
- tomatoes;
- eggplants;
- pumpkin (decorative)
Next to the zucchini, it is recommended to place beds with onions, peas, spinach and bush beans. If you plant a decorative pumpkin nearby, its pollen gets on the zucchini with the wind. As a result, the production of hormones is activated, giving an unpleasant bitterness to the pulp.
Place unfavorable neighbors at a distance of at least 15 m. If the area is small, plant self-pollinating varieties of zucchini.
Cross-pollination with other crops
Some gardeners are sure that pumpkins should be grown in one area. However, gardeners with extensive experience are advised to alternate between different varieties, planting other plants between them.
As a result of pollination, various negative consequences appear:
- productivity is sharply reduced;
- taste qualities change – a bitter aftertaste appears in the pulp;
- fertility is impaired;
- seed quality is reduced.
It is not always possible to separate landings. In this case, beds of onions or legumes can be placed between crops. This helps prevent over-pollination.
Weeds
Wormwood growing next to zucchini provokes the appearance of strong bitterness in the fruits. If you spot a weed, remove it immediately.
Timely weeding helps to avoid this trouble.
Improper storage
If you neglect the rules for collecting and storing fruits, an unpleasant bitter aftertaste also appears. Harvesting is carried out at different stages of ripeness:
- Dairy – the fruits are young, soft peel. Stored at a temperature of 0โฆ+3หะก. In such conditions, zucchini lie quietly for about 14 days. Then they begin to wither, taste qualities are gradually lost, the flesh becomes bitter and dry.
- Mature – the fruits are fully formed, have reached the stage of full ripeness. If the vegetables were harvested after they were fully ripe, they keep well for 3-5 months and do not lose their qualities.
Ripe fruits are recommended to be stored in a cool and dry pantry or basement. The main thing is that the room has good ventilation.
Not all varieties are suitable for long-term storage. There are varieties that are consumed fresh.
Accumulation of cucurbitacin
This is one of the most common causes of bitterness in vegetables. Cucurbitacin is a substance produced in response to plant stress. Most often this happens with improper cultivation.
There are several effective methods to prevent the production of cucurbitacin:
- proper care of the plant;
- timely watering;
- no excess or shortage of fertilizers;
- planting the crop in an open and sunny place where there is no permanent shade.
How to eliminate bitterness?
After harvesting, you can notice an unpleasant bitter aftertaste, which can be got rid of. To do this, you just need to soak the fruits well. The procedure is carried out according to the following scheme:
- Wash and peel vegetables thoroughly. Be sure to remove the hard layer, as bitterness accumulates in it.
- Cut the peeled fruits into not very thick slices or circles.
- Salt the water – for 3 liters, take 1 tbsp. l. salt.
- Place the prepared vegetables in the liquid and leave for 20-30 minutes.
- After the specified time, remove the vegetables and rinse well with plenty of running water. Now zucchini can be used to prepare various dishes.
It is easy to remove bitterness by using the freezing method. Before eating vegetables, cut into circles, place in the freezer and leave for a while until completely frozen.
After defrosting, elasticity is lost, therefore, during heat treatment, zucchini can turn into porridge.
Can you eat bitter squash?
The fruits are edible if the bitter taste was not caused by a fungal infection, but was the result of a violation of the rules of cultivation and care. Consider how strong bitterness is.
If the cause is a plant disease, the fruits may contain nitrates and various toxic substances in large quantities. In the case of the use of such fruits, there is a possibility of serious poisoning.
If vegetables acquire a pronounced taste, they are categorically not suitable for eating.
How to prevent the accumulation of bitterness?
By adhering to simple but important rules for caring for zucchini, it is easy to grow tasty and healthy vegetables that will benefit the body. In the case of a properly selected variety, the accumulation of bitterness is the result of growing in unsuitable conditions.
To prevent the accumulation of bitterness in vegetables, follow a few simple recommendations:
- plant seeds only during long daylight hours;
- ensure the correct watering regime, moisturizing should be regular;
- make sure that there is no waterlogging of the soil;
- plan plantings in advance so that zucchini do not grow close to plants that lead to an unpleasant aftertaste in fruits;
- do not use large amounts of potassium and phosphorus types of dressings.
Bitter squash is the exception to the rule. If you follow the simple requirements for growing and caring for this crop, it is easy to avoid such a nuisance. Also, choose the right varieties for which bitter notes are uncharacteristic.
