Bitter Cucumbers

[christopher]

This is my first year of growing stuff(!) and although my outdoor cucumbers look fantastic the one that I have tasted tasted so bitter that I had to throw it away. Have I picked it too early (it was about 6 - 7 inches long) or have I picked it too late?

Chris

[christopher]

[tim]

Luck of the draw?

Was it one of the first? If so, it might have been there a while & gone a bit over? Keep trying!!

[Icyberjunkie]

Christopher,  it might have been  a little young.   I grow 'Long Green Ridge' outdoor cucumbers and the first one was slightly bitter but it was only the skin so peeling it worked fine.

I have also found that the bigger the cucumber the sweeter the taste and am now harvesting them at around 12 inches.  Patience may be all that is required!

Good luck.  iain

[silverback]

i spoke to a friend and he says that they could have been cross polinated with male flowers. Are you growing f1 hibrids ? But even these can have small male flowers which you have to nip out  sorry dont have any pictures.

Hope this helps

[greatpalm]

Hi Chris

What variety of cucumber are you growing? If it mentions growing outdoors on the packet then the female flowers need to be fertilised. If this does not occur then the cucumbers will shrivel and die. The male flowers therefore need to be left on.

On the other hand if you are growing a greenhouse variety the the female flowers must not be fertilised because else the fruit will be bitter. The male flowers therefore should be removed.

Hope this helps.
Steve

[christopher]

Thanks everyone. The cucumbers are outdoor types, not sure which type but will have a look on the packet when next on the plot. Picked another today, will try it later. If it is still bitter, I'll leave them to get bigger. Thanks again for your help.


Chris.

[Bluejane]

An Italian friend tells me that to get rid of bitterness in the peel you cut a bit off the end of the cucumber and rub it vigorously over the whole thing. I have a strong suspicion she's pulling my leg, and even if she isn't I don't think this would work for the flesh - just the skin - but it might be worth trying?

[northener]

I always peel cucumbers anyway i get indigestion othewise.

[MarthaMad]

My mother always said that you can remove the bitterness from a cucumber by cuttinf off both ends and rubbing the cut off bits on the opposite end.... Hard to explain but I hope I have...

[petemason]

This is my first year of growing stuff(!) and although my outdoor cucumbers look fantastic the one that I have tasted tasted so bitter that I had to throw it away. Have I picked it too early (it was about 6 - 7 inches long) or have I picked it too late?

Chris

If you're not growing F1, then the first cucumber will be bitter. Either discard the first one of each plant when it's ready or alternatively, cut it in half, rub the 2 halves together until you see a creamy sap coming out, wipe it off, slice a few inches from each side and repeat until you've finished the cucumber. However, it's just easier to buy F1 varieties.
Info courtesy Mrs PM