The most common problem when growing zucchini is the bitterness of the fruit. There can be many reasons. You need to follow certain rules for caring for vegetables.
Causes of bitterness
The change in the taste of culture is due to the mistakes that gardeners make.
Variety features
There are varieties of zucchini, which, even with proper care, are distinguished by bitter pulp.
The best thing is to choose the sweetest varieties.
Starling. In length, fruits with light ribbing reach 25 cm. Firm and juicy flesh has a sweet taste. Delicate fruits are also suitable for fresh consumption.
Chaklun. Delicate flesh, pleasant aroma and taste. Their skin is soft. Vegetables are suitable for salads and canning. There are a lot of fruits in one bush, they grow very quickly.
Pharaoh. The crunchy pulp of the early variety is sweet in taste. There are almost no seeds inside the fruit.
Lack of proper watering
Moderate soil moisture provides plants with all the necessary substances for the formation of fruits. Zucchini do not require a high level of humidity. But even in the absence of the desired level of moisture in the fruits, nitrates and nitrogen-containing compounds are formed.
Pests and diseases
Bitterness in fruits can be caused by pests or fungal diseases. Harmful insects spoil vegetables, and also spread diseases - fusarium, anthracnose.
With anthracnose, round spots are formed on the leaves, which are yellow in color. Fusarium is easily recognized by the drying of the lower lower leaves. To prevent diseases, you need to remove the lashes from the beds after harvesting. Sick plants are best removed immediately so as not to infect neighboring plants.
A large amount of nitrogen provokes the appearance of bitterness. Zucchini will become bitter if plants are planted nearby that take all the moisture from the soil. I water the vegetables for two days, and then I take a break for two days.
Insufficient amount of sunlight
Zucchini require a lot of light. This is true for all pumpkin crops. Only in sunny beds do vegetables grow without bitterness. In large areas with tall trees and shrubs, zucchini suffer from stress. Low light results in a bitter taste.
Violation of the feeding regime
An excess of certain substances affects the taste of the fruit. Problems arise for gardeners when using natural types of fertilizers - manure, compost, humus or litter. They contain a lot of unrefined nitrogen compounds, which provoke the appearance of bitterness.
Unpleasant Neighborhood
The presence of certain crops next to zucchini can adversely affect their taste. Plant the following plants as far away from them as possible:
- potato;
- radish;
- tomatoes;
- eggplant;
- decorative pumpkin.
Next to the zucchini, you can arrange beds with onions, peas and spinach. The best option is to plant self-pollinated varieties of zucchini.
Various weeds
Nearby growing wormwood will provoke bitterness in the fruits of zucchini. If a plant is found, dispose of it immediately. You need to constantly weed the beds and remove any weeds.
Lack of proper storage
It is necessary to collect fruits from the beds in time. As a rule, harvesting takes place at different stages of ripeness.
- dairy. Juicy pulp - soft, juicy with a thin skin. Fruits are stored for about two weeks at a temperature of 3 degrees with a plus sign. Over time, they become dry and bitter.
- mature. Zucchini reach a period of full maturity. They can be stored for about 5 months in the basement. Fruits need to provide good ventilation. There are varieties of zucchini that are not suitable for long-term storage. They are consumed immediately during the season.
What varieties of zucchini do you grow? Share your secrets.
Read also: Planting and cultivation of late-ripening zucchini. Tips & Tricks
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