Do you know why cucumbers are bitter in a greenhouse?

Probably, all truck farmers faced such an unpleasant surprise, like bitter cucumbers. This occurs quite often. Of course, such cucumbers can be eaten, taking off their peel, but then you will remain without vitamins and minerals, because it is the skin 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, and also talk about how to care for greenhouse cucumbers in order to avoid bitter taste.

What people say

Among gardener amateurs there are different opinions on this matter, and all of them contain a grain of truth. Someone thinks that the whole composition of the soil is the fault. Someone thinks that cucumbers do not have enough nutrients or water, and some believe that it depends on the variety.

What Science Says

From the scientific point of view, there is also an explanation. It is proved that the cause of bitter cucumber is a substance that accumulates in the skin. It is called "cucurbitacin". And the brighter the sun shines, the more cucurbitin is accumulated, and the cucumber becomes hotter. This is also a scientifically proven fact. But why are cucumbers bitter in the greenhouse, because there is no sun in the same place? It turns out that the wrong care is also the cause of the bitterness of this vegetable, and all the necessary conditions are not always observed in the greenhouse.

Proper care - delicious cucumbers

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

In order not to worry about the question of why cucumbers are bitter, in the greenhouse, observe the following recommendations:

• Water abundantly and only with warm water. At an early age, plants do this 2 times a week, and in the flowering period - every day. If air is not sufficiently moistened, then it is possible to spray on walls and paths. It is desirable to hold watering when the sun is shining in the street, but leave the pans closed.

• In the greenhouse the earth is depleted faster than on the street, so it is necessary to feed cucumbers more often. Once a week, use liquid mineral fertilizers, potassium, calcium, nitrogen (but not manure).

• The temperature in the greenhouse should be at least 20 degrees in the daytime and 18 degrees at night (before fruiting), and in the future it needs to be raised to 28. Sharp changes in it - this is stress, from this cucumber can be bitter. It is better if the greenhouse is heated.

• Forming a bush, you need to know how to pinch the cucumber. In the greenhouse, this process is especially important, as it allows to increase 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 that are so necessary for vegetation.

Breeders, who are also concerned about why cucumbers are bitter in the greenhouse, brought out salad varieties that contain a special gene that prevents the production of cucurbitacins. But if you still did not manage to avoid bitterness, then do not be upset, because such cucumbers are suitable for pickling. When heat treated, the bitter taste disappears.