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+--- Thread: Bitter courgettes? (/showthread.php?tid=287)
Bitter courgettes? - Scarlet - 29-06-2020
I have had bitter cucumber- the white variety in the greenhouse.....but bitter courgettes?
I've got 5 plants. I started just 4 off and someone asked if I had any spare, I'm not keen on them so gave 2 away. Started off another few plants.
So I have two varieties- and I'm not sure what they are!!
Two are huge plants - maybe 4 foot long! All male flowers.
The other 3 are more compact and one has 3 courgettes on. They are dark green. I thought I would have for lunch but I accidentally picked one and took a chunk! OMG! YUK - it is disgusting. I had to come to the house and brush my teeth. I'm not even sure I want to try it again.
This has never happened to me before?
RE: Bitter courgettes? - toomanytommytoes - 29-06-2020
Are they self-saved seed?
RE: Bitter courgettes? - Scarlet - 29-06-2020
(29-06-2020, 10:23 AM)toomanytommytoes Wrote: Are they self-saved seed?No. But unfortunately I don't think I have the packet - it was a T&M variety.
RE: Bitter courgettes? - toomanytommytoes - 29-06-2020
From what I've read, bitter courgettes are mostly due to cross-pollination with wild/ornamental species. Perhaps something has gone wrong during the production of the seed. Plant stress can apparently also cause bitterness. Is it just the one plant that has bitter fruit?
RE: Bitter courgettes? - Scarlet - 29-06-2020
I didn't start the seed until mid May - so first one off the plant. The others 2 plants of this variety are still small so only male flowers at the moment. I hope the other two aren't like. What a waste of space!
RE: Bitter courgettes? - Veggie - 29-06-2020
Can you dig them up and replant outside?
RE: Bitter courgettes? - Scarlet - 29-06-2020
Sorry - obviously didn't explain myself properly! When I had bitter cucumber it was in the GH.
These courgettes are outside. They don't look stressed but not huge plants.
RE: Bitter courgettes? - Veggie - 29-06-2020
Ahhh!! that's different.
I'd give them more time to do their thing. Maybe the first courgettes are their practice run and they need to get into their stride.
I usually nibble a bit of each courgette before I cook it as I have had the occasional one that tastes strange.
RE: Bitter courgettes? - Scarlet - 29-06-2020
Yes! I ate it raw. I will wait for the next one with an update.
RE: Bitter courgettes? - Bren - 29-06-2020
That's a big disappointment
hopefully the rest will be fine as Veggie says.