Any stress on a cucumber plant, such as high temperatures, low moisture, drought, low fertility, or foliage disease, can contribute to bitterness. Bitterness is usually associated with fruit harvested late in the season from unhealthy, poor-yielding plants. Cucumbers are mostly water; when the supply is uneven they do develop a bitter taste. The factors mentioned affect water supply to the fruit. The one you will have difficulty overcoming is disease pressure. Do not over-plant the space; if diseases are not controlled with fungicide, remove promptly.

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