Bitter cucumbers

**jlxian** · 07-21-2005, 01:53 PM

Cheryl's post about her lovely sweet cucumbers prodded me to posting about ours --- why are mine bitter? The skin is especially bitter on some of them and it doesn't all come away when I peel them. Is it because of lack of water? I thought I had been conscientious about watering them fairly often --- but maybe not.

**mom22grls** · 07-21-2005, 02:17 PM

I'm interested in this, too. My cucumbers aren't ready yet, but in the past, I've always had bitter ones, too. They worked fine for pickles, but fresh....yuck!

Anyone know?

**SewCrafty** · 07-22-2005, 08:52 AM

Just a guess gals, but could it be the type of cucumbers you are planting?

I know that Kirby's are best for canning and making pickles out of, but don't know the names of any good ones for eating. Hopefully someone will know the answer to this for you.

**lacyj** · 07-22-2005, 09:12 AM

Lack of even watering. If I let them wilt too much they will be bitter. It only takes one day of bad wilting to affect the cuke. The bitter will not go away either, if you water it.
i.e. the cuke will not improve by watering after this happens, it's too late.

**mom22grls** · 07-22-2005, 09:30 AM

lacyj, is this even when there's no fruit on the vine yet? Or only when there's fruit?

I'm BAD about watering! Maybe that's my problem.

I have planted both slicing & pickling varieties & they both have done this. I'm trying to remember if it's a later batch that taste's ok, or if it's just hit & miss..........I can't remember. But I never have really been able to enjoy a fresh cuke from my garden.....I always have to use vinegar & onions or pickle them.

Thanks for the info.

**jlxian** · 07-22-2005, 09:48 AM

I'm pretty sure I planted "Straight 8" --- is this meant for pickling rather than fresh eating?

Thanks for the ideas --- I did suspect it had something to do with watering, but didn't think it might be the type of cucumber.

**duckduckgoose007** · 07-22-2005, 08:36 PM

Jean,

My Hubby says it is the water thing...you need to water every day or they will be bitter no matter what kind you plant.

Straight eight's are good for eating...Just don't let them get too big or they will only be good for making Bread & Butter pickles.

Hope your Cukes turn out good this year

**jlxian** · 07-25-2005, 02:27 PM

Since my post, I've been watering more often and the most recent harvest has been much better. Woo Hoo! Thanks for the advice, ladies!

I'll be away from my garden for a few days next week --- hope they can squeek by without frequent watering then.

**canadian gardener** · 07-25-2005, 04:14 PM

there is a good little rhyme I taught my kids that I was taught.

Stem end Sweet End

Blossom end Bitter End

and it's a help with home grown "sweet" cukes if they are mildly bitter. The stem end gets the most water.