Strawberry plant produces BITTER strawberries

[jsfinn]

Last year we were given a Strawberry plant. We planted it in a pot and sat it out on the deck. It grew and grew but only produced a couple of berries.

This year, it's putting out a lot more fruit, but out of the two berries that we have tried so far, they are horrible - they are so bitter, you can't swallow them.

The ones that I've tried are nice and bright red, look good, and give slightly when you squeeze them.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Strawberry plant produces BITTER strawberries

Simple really...don't let the neighborhood cats near your plants....just kidding.

Q. Why do my strawberries have a slightly bitter taste?

A. The flavor of most fruits and vegetables is influenced by weather conditions. In regards to strawberries, warm sunny weather produces the most flavorful fruit. When the weather is extremely hot, the berries may have a slightly bitter taste. Strawberry plants produce smaller quantities of sugars when the weather is cool and cloudy. As a result, berries are not as sweet when the weather is cool and rainy in May and June.
Leather rot, caused by a fungal disease, can be a problem in wet weather. Infected fruit have a leathery texture and bitter taste.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Strawberry plant produces BITTER strawberries

Try your hand at making wine.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Strawberry plant produces BITTER strawberries

Wine making? Nah... takes too long - I like instant gratification. Besides, where would I buy those cardboard boxes to store the wine in?

In any case - most of my problem went away ... the greedy birds took a bite out of most of the berries this morning. I guess they were too bitter for them to eat the whole thing ....

I guess it serves me right for letting the feeders get empty...

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Strawberry plant produces BITTER strawberries

How big were the berries?
If they were no bigger than a thumbnail, it might be a wild strawberry plant.

 

[v1_0]

Re: Strawberry plant produces BITTER strawberries

Pick 'em, slice em up and dehydrate them. I've found that this seems to increase the sweet flavor - I use a dehydrator, I'm guessing it cooks them a bit in the process.