Hi,
I'm a newby with my very first cucumbers. I'm very confused because they are all so bitter. I thought if I picked them early they would have tender skin and small seeds. Do I need to let them ripen? But I recently read that they become bitter with age. So did I wait too late?

What I am I doing wrong? How do I know when to pick them. They are burpless BTW. Any advise will be greatly appreciated!

well, only pick them when you are ready to use it--otherwise, it may become bitter--make sure it is actually the size of a cucumber--not any smaller. if the cucumber is laying partially on the ground, that may not be all to good---make sure mthe vine is strong, and that your not touching the leaves or the cucumber itself before you are ready to pick it--in fact try not to EVRE touch the leaves. If i think of something else, ill post it so be looking!!!

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"I don't want no more of army life, gee mom, I wanna go, but they won't let me go, gee mom, I wanna go home!" My PB!

It may also be that some varieties are more prone to bitterness or become bitter quickly after being picked. I usually plant National Pickling Cukes but this year tried Sumpter and ... something else. Not only are these guys slow growers and have low yields (so far) they taste bitter, even shortly after being picked. Good thing I pickle them! I've read that a a lot of people swear by cutting off the ends like Longy mentioned, especially if pickling, because it reduces some enzymes that are found primarily in the ends and cause bitterness.

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Sarah - Zone 5b/6

quote:

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Originally posted by cookinmom:
Would y'all say, in general, that bitterness is probably due more to the variety, rather than growing conditions?

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Bitterness in cukes is usually related to lack of water. Cukes are made mostly of water and need A LOT of water at least an inch a week. Especially in well draining soil. I always planted Straight Eight cukes in past years and have had great luck with them. They are an old time open pollinated variety that you can easily save seed from. They have never been bitter for me.

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John - Zone 6

It is true that there are certain varieties that are less bitter. One of them is Diva from Johnny's Selected Seeds.

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Terry

May the force be with you

Touching the leaves of the cucumber plants is harmful? What's up with that, is there an easy explanation to why this occurs? I have about six Marketmore 76 Cucumber plants in my first time garden. I have occasionally moved the leaves over so I can check for babies. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...