EWS-Agronomy Troubleshooting Guide
Bitterness in cucumber fruits
Possible Reasons of Bitterness in Cucumber
1. Genetic or Heredity
Perhaps the most frustrating reason why a cucumber is bitter is simple genetics; there is a recessive trait that can cause a plant to produce bitter fruit from the start.
2. Environmental or Growing Conditions
A. Too Hot & Heat Stress:
If a plant is stressed due to heat, it may start producing bitter cucumbers
B. Uneven Watering:
If cucumber plants go through alternating periods of drought and overwatering
C. Dry Conditions:
Long periods of hot, dry weather can contribute to bitter cucumbers.
D. Temperature Fluctuations:
If the temperature fluctuates dramatically from one extreme to another over an extended period of time, the plant may start producing bitter cucumbers.
Bitterness in cucumber fruits (2)
Facts about Bitterness in Fruits
Cucumbers contain cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin C compounds
These compounds are usually confined to the leaves, stems, and roots of the plants which are not eaten by humans.
Cucurbitacin compounds make leaves bitter and less tasty to munching animals.
We can only recognize the bitterness when we taste the fruits
It is not the whole fruit that turns bitter. Which Fruit Part to Taste for Bitterness? >> The bitterness is concentrated at the end of the stem and at the area right under the skin.
The bitter compound is likely to be more concentrated in the stem end than in the blossom end of the cucumber.
It is also more prevalent in the peel and in the light green area just beneath the peel and less likely to be found in the deeper interior of the fruit.
Facts about Bitterness in Fruits
In order to prevent bitter fruit, address what causes bitter cucumber fruit in the first place. Always use best practices when it comes to growing your cucumber. Keep cucumbers at an even temperature, which means that you should be planting the cucumber so that it gets the right kind of sun for your climate (sunnier areas in cool climates, morning and afternoon sun only in hotter climates). Water evenly and regularly, especially in times of drought.
Unfortunately, once a cucumber plant starts to produce bitter fruit, it will most likely continue to produce bitter cucumbers. You may remove the plant and start over.
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