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Bitter cucumbers

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  • RullahRullah Posts: 54
    I am growing Beth Alpha mini cucumber this year. To date I have had 19, but do have 5 plants two in greenhouse three outside. They don't grow as tall as some varieties I have had @Rullah ,  but as you can see they still produce well. They have thin skins and a milder flavour to Passandra which I am also growing this year, but only one plant which has had 6 to date.
    Thanks for the recommendation, I prefer a thinner skin so these might be a good idea!
  • RullahRullah Posts: 54
    Lyn said:
    @BobTheGardener. I am looking at the Telegraph F1,  says produces male & female,  doesn’t say pick them off, do you? 
    I've never picked-off any male flowers on those, @Lyn (and never had bitter ones.)  I grew 'Telepathy F1' last year, which was developed from 'Telegraph'.


    The ones I grew this year that have ended up bitter (well, some of them) is telepathy F1. Although, I did grow them outside so I guess they have more chance of being pollinated out in the open than plants in a greenhouse do?
  • RullahRullah Posts: 54
    Lyn said:
    Thanks Bob,  I have read that incorrect watering causes bitter ones. 
    I don't suppose you can remember what kind of watering causes it? I've very irratic with my watering 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    @Rullah Yes, I think growing outside is the problem as the females could get pollinated.  Many grow 'Marketmore' outside and those actually require pollinating, so there could well be insects carrying cucumber pollen in your area.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I found poor watering caused very bitter cucumbers in my outdoor beds for a few years in a row at the beginning until I got everything on a timer switch with a soaker hose.  I grow four or five varieties each year, and never pull off flowers (it would be impossible, the vines are tangled up together all over the place.  I've never had anymore bitter ones since sorting out the watering.  

    For this year, just chop off the end near the blossom of each cucumber and give it a lick, that will tell you if it's bitter before peeling and chopping.  I always taste a piece of every one prior to putting them in the salad, still, just to be sure.  I also usually scoop out all the seeds with a tea spoon, which helps with flavor I find.  Unless it's a tiny little one.  I have so many cucumbers that I still have plenty for a meal without the seedy parts.  Just peel and cut it in half length wise, then use a small tea spoon to scoop it out.  I find it helps with digestion too, not having the seeds.  
    Utah, USA.
  • RullahRullah Posts: 54
    @Rullah Yes, I think growing outside is the problem as the females could get pollinated.  Many grow 'Marketmore' outside and those actually require pollinating, so there could well be insects carrying cucumber pollen in your area.
    Haha yes I do know someone growing marketmore... me! It is the other kind I am growing (that didn't mention removing the flowers) it seems I've shot myself in the foot... or in the cucumber anyway 🙈
  • RullahRullah Posts: 54
    I found poor watering caused very bitter cucumbers in my outdoor beds for a few years in a row at the beginning until I got everything on a timer switch with a soaker hose.  I grow four or five varieties each year, and never pull off flowers (it would be impossible, the vines are tangled up together all over the place.  I've never had anymore bitter ones since sorting out the watering.  

    For this year, just chop off the end near the blossom of each cucumber and give it a lick, that will tell you if it's bitter before peeling and chopping.  I always taste a piece of every one prior to putting them in the salad, still, just to be sure.  I also usually scoop out all the seeds with a tea spoon, which helps with flavor I find.  Unless it's a tiny little one.  I have so many cucumbers that I still have plenty for a meal without the seedy parts.  Just peel and cut it in half length wise, then use a small tea spoon to scoop it out.  I find it helps with digestion too, not having the seeds.  
    Thank you, yes it could well be to do with my watering as I am quite erratic with it (and probably quite stingy as we are on a water meter) so basically, just give them plenty of water regularly? 
  • SuesynSuesyn Posts: 664
    I grow Burpless tasty green, they are delicious. All I need to do is water and watch them grow, we have even been eating cucumber for breakfast! 
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