Re: Zucchini problem

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Posted by quiltguy154 on July 26, 2003 at 05:01:08:

In Reply to: Re: Zucchini problem posted by Rita on July 25, 2003 at 13:08:31:

: : :
: : : My Zucchini plants look fine. The first 3 times I gathered them they were wonderful. The plants and the zucchini looks great, but now the veg. is so bitter you can't eat them. Whats wrong???

Here's a few things you might check:
-Hate to be so obvious, but do you thoroughly wash
all garden produce? It's vitally important,
especially if you use insecticide or fungicide sprays
or dusts on the plants. THAT could really make a
difference in the taste.
-Have you fertilized properly/enough? Perhaps some
element is missing, or in short supply, that allows
the plant to manufacture it's regular flavor.
-pH may also be a factor for flavor. I know it is in
grapes and tree fruits. A soil test will confirm.
Most veggies have a narrow tolerance for either acid
or alkaline soils. I know your first pickings where
OK, but pH can vary from a number of factors.
-Stress on the plant, either water or heat. You can't
really do anything about the heat, but you can ensure
an adequate supply of water.
-Are the fruits stunted or misshapen in any way? Lack
of proper pollination may cause this, and
consequently affect the taste.
-How about peeling off the skin? There's a chance the
skin is providing the bitter quality.
-Have you tasted them raw, or only after they are
cooked? Maybe there's some food you are cooking them
with that makes the flavor you object to. Or even an
herb you've included in the recipe.
-Do you scoop out the seeds before cooking? I always
do. Cuts down on the watery-ness of the finished
product, and may also be contributing to the bitter-
ness. Worth a shot, at any rate.
-What kind of pot do you cook it in? Aluminum pots can
affect flavor, especially if acids are introduced,
like tomatoes, or wine.
Hope I've given you some "food" for thought. Good luck
with this situation. BTW, has this condition shown up
in any other veggies, tomatoes for example? Maybe it's a more widespread problem that just the zukes.
Keep me posted. quiltguy154

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: : : :
: : : : My Zucchini plants look fine. The first 3 times I gathered them they were wonderful. The plants and the zucchini looks great, but now the veg. is so bitter you can't eat them. Whats wrong???

: Here's a few things you might check:
: -Hate to be so obvious, but do you thoroughly wash
: all garden produce? It's vitally important,
: especially if you use insecticide or fungicide sprays
: or dusts on the plants. THAT could really make a
: difference in the taste.
: -Have you fertilized properly/enough? Perhaps some
: element is missing, or in short supply, that allows
: the plant to manufacture it's regular flavor.
: -pH may also be a factor for flavor. I know it is in
: grapes and tree fruits. A soil test will confirm.
: Most veggies have a narrow tolerance for either acid
: or alkaline soils. I know your first pickings where
: OK, but pH can vary from a number of factors.
: -Stress on the plant, either water or heat. You can't
: really do anything about the heat, but you can ensure
: an adequate supply of water.
: -Are the fruits stunted or misshapen in any way? Lack
: of proper pollination may cause this, and
: consequently affect the taste.
: -How about peeling off the skin? There's a chance the
: skin is providing the bitter quality.
: -Have you tasted them raw, or only after they are
: cooked? Maybe there's some food you are cooking them
: with that makes the flavor you object to. Or even an
: herb you've included in the recipe.
: -Do you scoop out the seeds before cooking? I always
: do. Cuts down on the watery-ness of the finished
: product, and may also be contributing to the bitter-
: ness. Worth a shot, at any rate.
: -What kind of pot do you cook it in? Aluminum pots can
: affect flavor, especially if acids are introduced,
: like tomatoes, or wine.
: Hope I've given you some "food" for thought. Good luck
: with this situation. BTW, has this condition shown up
: in any other veggies, tomatoes for example? Maybe it's a more widespread problem that just the zukes.
: Keep me posted. quiltguy154

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