Do you know why cucumbers are bitter in a greenhouse?

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Probably all gardeners have come across such an unpleasant surprise as bitter cucumbers. This happens quite often. Of course, such cucumbers can be eaten by peeling them off, but then you will be left without vitamins and minerals, because it is the peel that contains most of them. So what to do, and why are cucumbers bitter? In the greenhouse or in the garden, they grew up - it does not matter. In this article, we will talk about the causes of this phenomenon and how to eliminate it, as well as talk about how to care for greenhouse cucumbers to avoid a bitter taste.

What people say

Among amateur gardeners there are different opinions on this matter, and all of them contain a grain of truth. Someone believes that the composition of the soil is to blame. Some people think that cucumbers lack nutrients or water, and some believe that it depends on the variety.

What the science says

Scientifically, there is also an explanation. It has been proven that the cause of the bitterness of cucumbers is a substance that is justaccumulates in the skin. It's called cucurbitacin. Moreover, the brighter the sun shines, the more cucurbitacin accumulates, and the bitterer the cucumbers become. This is also a scientifically proven fact. But why are cucumbers bitter in a greenhouse, because there is no sun there? It turns out that improper care is also the cause of the bitterness of this vegetable, and all the necessary conditions are not always met in the greenhouse.

Proper care - delicious cucumbers

From the point of view of agricultural technology, in order to get a rich crop of cucumbers in a greenhouse, they need to be properly watered, fertilized on time, monitor the temperature, and most importantly, do not stress the plant.

In order not to be tormented by the question of why cucumbers are bitter, in the greenhouse, follow these recommendations:

• Water abundantly and only with warm water. At an early age of growth, do this 2 times a week, and during the flowering period - every day. If the air is not sufficiently humidified, then you can sprinkle on the walls and paths. It is advisable to water when the sun is shining outside, but leave the windows closed.

• In the greenhouse, the land is depleted faster than outside, so cucumbers need to be fed more often. Once a week, use liquid mineral fertilizers, potash, calcium, nitrogen (but not manure).

• The temperature in the greenhouse should be at least 20 degrees during the day and 18 degrees at night (before fruiting), and in the future it needs to be raised to 28. Sudden changes in it are stress, this can make cucumbers bitter. It is better if the greenhouse isheated.
• When forming a bush, you need to know how to pinch cucumbers. In the greenhouse, this process is especially important, as it allows you to increase the yield and limit the branching of the plant. To do this, remove the lateral processes, female flowers and antennae. They only delay the development of the bush and take away the nutrients so necessary for the growing season.

Breeders, who are also concerned about why cucumbers are bitter in the greenhouse, have developed lettuce varieties that contain a special gene that prevents the production of cucurbitacins. Well, if you still failed to avoid bitterness, then you should not be very upset, since such cucumbers are suitable for pickling. Cooking will remove the bitter taste.