I did it know about this. I’ve only been growing for several years and not with much success. Still learning and trying. Thank you for this. I greatly look forward to getting the the no till and back to Eden started this year.
I once tasted a cucumber so bitter that my body wouldn't allow me to continue chewing and swallow. It made me cringe and gag. I'm not a sensitive or picky eater at all. I'm usually more of an adventurous eater. This made me uncontrollably gag. I'm pretty sure that was the body's natural defense system that GOD blessed us with. With that said, you will definitely know if there's something wrong with the cucumber. Do not fight that strong urge to spit it out.
I just got it in some summer squash and a volunteer (zucchini, acorn, summer squash combo). It was just a round of picking a few weeks ago. We had very dry Hot weather followed by days of incredible drenching rain, it was just saturated for over a week, and its clay soil. I think it was just shocking to the plants. My first ever of experiencing and learning of this. Also my first year not watering my garden regularly, just letting the weather do what it does, might be a factor. The last harvest a few days ago is good. So I think it just affects the fruit on the vines during the hard weather period.
Yes, I have read it can be caused by by plant stress. It's very common in Cucumbers to get a bitter fruit. Although when it is truly toxic I think the taste is inedible. The articles I have seen on people passing away from this ate their toxic squash in a stew, where the taste may have been smothered. Either way, never eat bitter veggies :) Thanks for commenting.
This can only happen with squash of the same genus. Exmp- pumpkins are Cucurbita. Watermelon are Citrullus. Therefore, watermellon can't cross with Pumpkins. However, Yellow squash is Cucurbita, so it CAN cross with Pumpkin. More often than not, by the way, if you get a cross, it'll likely be safe to eat. It could be really great. If so, save the seeds and after 2-3 years of growing it and saving the seeds, it will stabilize, & you'll have a nice variety you created yourself. However, it could not be tasty at all and obviously, even though it is safe to eat, you won't want to. It's true that bitterness is the tell. If it's bitter, it's poison and you don't want anything to do with that. Pull that plant out of your garden and don't save ANY squash seeds from that garden that year (just in case the offender cross-pollinated with another squash in the garden). Also pull any squash volunteers you see in that garden the next year.
Great comments, thank you. Because I sell my veggies I don’t take any risks and only purchase seeds from reputable seed providers. If it was just me I would totally save them. :)
I got toxic squash. Took 2 bites because i assumed the first terrible bite was caused by chemical or something being on the fork. Both times i spit it right out. The taste was so bad, i even rinsed my mouth out, but I'm still sick today. These are not seeds I've saved, but they are heirloom, unusual zucchini. I've grown squash in my garden for years and years and never had an issue. The plants look fantastic, probably the best I've ever grown, i don't think they could be stressed. I've had a few minor issues with squash beetles and used soapy water a few times to kill em. It hasn't even been very hot, we've had a mild summer. I'm guessing it's the seed and I'm guessing it's probably only one plant since I've eaten squash a few times this year and it was great. Thanks for the info. I had no idea of this and i might never eat squash again.
I am so sorry this happened to you! It is honestly something that I think is incredibly rare and you did the exact right thing! Imagine the millions of squash grown in gardens every year and how often we hear about issues with it. So don’t give up squash. I just sample a tiny bit of my squash. Awareness is so valuable as so many people just have no idea of this. I hope you feel better soon!
Toxic squash can occur when it contains high levels or cucurbitacins. This can occur through cross pollination, stress during growth and it will do it as a defense. Defining wild is also questionable. This year for example I have hundred of gourds growing. Not one of them planted. None of them truly “wild” in variety but wild in how they grew. Things that appear in compost piles can cause a toxic squash but is that truly wild? I just find it simpler to not save seed for edible products when I know there is potential for cucurbit cross pollination. There is too much grey area in “wild” and when I sell my food at the farmers market to my customers, I have to be extremely safe.
@@korriwood keep in mind I am no doctor. There is a recorded death from it in England and likely elsewhere, so please do ensure you seek medical advice from a professional.
It really is a confusing subject. Made my brain hurt reading about it. From what I understand bitter gourds can become toxic too. A very high concentration of cucurbitacin in the cucurbit family can either make you sick or in some cases cause death. It is RARE. And from what I read it would be horribly bitter so most probably wouldn't eat it. The man that ate it and died had it disguised in a stew. I think what is key is the level of concentration these veggies hit. Most won't ever hit the toxic level, so some bitterness is fine. But it is a sign of stress or that it might not be edible, as in the case with some ornamental pumpkins. Hope that helps somewhat. Thanks for watching.
@@JolleanSmith I’ve ingested a yellow gourd and let me tell you it’s hell. I’m going through poisoning right now up all morning/night on the toilet. Could not move, throw up, blood, constipation, heart palpitations, nausea, intense abdominal pain, unable to eat or drink water without it coming out. No antidote for it and I’m on meds right now had to get 2 IM shots. My wbcs weren’t high enough to send me to the hospital where I would get fluids/proton pump inhibitors. I will not eat squash ever again!
@@ceoherohub2584 I am so sorry for your experience. I hope you recover soon. Thanks for affirming what I believe is true, that most people need to be aware of it. It might be rare but knowledge is power. Get well and thanks for commenting.
@@JolleanSmith Yes, cucurbitacins are no joke. it’s rare but I want to know the US poisoning statistics. Cause holy, I see myself as an very very healthy individual (not smart) who runs every day so I’m actually afraid of others and especially the elderly who could be exposed to this nasty abomination. 2 days of chronic pain no breaks. I did googling and it’s not reassuring, the Lack of information. I didn’t think it was possible to make it to the hospital. I had help fortunately. So I’m ok. Do not ignore the bitterness anyone who read this.
@@ceoherohub2584 yes there is very little information on US impacts. Even the European incidents I could only find 3 but 3 very serious ones. But you nailed it, always taste test your squash and never eat bitter squash.
I did it know about this. I’ve only been growing for several years and not with much success. Still learning and trying. Thank you for this. I greatly look forward to getting the the no till and back to Eden started this year.
I didn’t know for a very long time as well! Happy gardening!
Never heard of this although I have produced and received bitter cucumbers. Thanks for the info.
I have produced a few bitter cucumbers too, but perhaps not bitter enough that the toxins have produced. Thanks for watching.
I once tasted a cucumber so bitter that my body wouldn't allow me to continue chewing and swallow. It made me cringe and gag. I'm not a sensitive or picky eater at all. I'm usually more of an adventurous eater. This made me uncontrollably gag. I'm pretty sure that was the body's natural defense system that GOD blessed us with. With that said, you will definitely know if there's something wrong with the cucumber. Do not fight that strong urge to spit it out.
I just got it in some summer squash and a volunteer (zucchini, acorn, summer squash combo). It was just a round of picking a few weeks ago. We had very dry Hot weather followed by days of incredible drenching rain, it was just saturated for over a week, and its clay soil. I think it was just shocking to the plants. My first ever of experiencing and learning of this. Also my first year not watering my garden regularly, just letting the weather do what it does, might be a factor. The last harvest a few days ago is good. So I think it just affects the fruit on the vines during the hard weather period.
Yes, I have read it can be caused by by plant stress. It's very common in Cucumbers to get a bitter fruit. Although when it is truly toxic I think the taste is inedible. The articles I have seen on people passing away from this ate their toxic squash in a stew, where the taste may have been smothered. Either way, never eat bitter veggies :) Thanks for commenting.
Wow! I’ve never heard of this! Thx for the info!
This can only happen with squash of the same genus. Exmp- pumpkins are Cucurbita. Watermelon are Citrullus. Therefore, watermellon can't cross with Pumpkins. However, Yellow squash is Cucurbita, so it CAN cross with Pumpkin. More often than not, by the way, if you get a cross, it'll likely be safe to eat. It could be really great. If so, save the seeds and after 2-3 years of growing it and saving the seeds, it will stabilize, & you'll have a nice variety you created yourself. However, it could not be tasty at all and obviously, even though it is safe to eat, you won't want to. It's true that bitterness is the tell. If it's bitter, it's poison and you don't want anything to do with that. Pull that plant out of your garden and don't save ANY squash seeds from that garden that year (just in case the offender cross-pollinated with another squash in the garden). Also pull any squash volunteers you see in that garden the next year.
Great comments, thank you. Because I sell my veggies I don’t take any risks and only purchase seeds from reputable seed providers. If it was just me I would totally save them. :)
@@JolleanSmith Smart!
I got toxic squash. Took 2 bites because i assumed the first terrible bite was caused by chemical or something being on the fork. Both times i spit it right out. The taste was so bad, i even rinsed my mouth out, but I'm still sick today. These are not seeds I've saved, but they are heirloom, unusual zucchini. I've grown squash in my garden for years and years and never had an issue. The plants look fantastic, probably the best I've ever grown, i don't think they could be stressed. I've had a few minor issues with squash beetles and used soapy water a few times to kill em. It hasn't even been very hot, we've had a mild summer. I'm guessing it's the seed and I'm guessing it's probably only one plant since I've eaten squash a few times this year and it was great. Thanks for the info. I had no idea of this and i might never eat squash again.
I am so sorry this happened to you! It is honestly something that I think is incredibly rare and you did the exact right thing! Imagine the millions of squash grown in gardens every year and how often we hear about issues with it. So don’t give up squash. I just sample a tiny bit of my squash. Awareness is so valuable as so many people just have no idea of this. I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you so much it helps alot very informative video.
🎉🎉❤
Thanks for watching!
Reminds me of the “death in the pot” 2 Kings 4 Bible story.
the best pumpkins and squash is from the compost. also the biggest iv eva grown
For sure! Most would be safe too. But make sure to taste test to make sure it is not bitter to be safe. Happy gardening.
wild gourds are what it needs protection against
Toxic squash can occur when it contains high levels or cucurbitacins. This can occur through cross pollination, stress during growth and it will do it as a defense. Defining wild is also questionable. This year for example I have hundred of gourds growing. Not one of them planted. None of them truly “wild” in variety but wild in how they grew. Things that appear in compost piles can cause a toxic squash but is that truly wild? I just find it simpler to not save seed for edible products when I know there is potential for cucurbit cross pollination. There is too much grey area in “wild” and when I sell my food at the farmers market to my customers, I have to be extremely safe.
I’m so sick today from squash. I never knew🤢
I am so sorry to hear that! I hope you get better soon!
@@JolleanSmith Thank you! Your video let me know I wasn’t dying 🤦🏾♀️😆
@@korriwood keep in mind I am no doctor. There is a recorded death from it in England and likely elsewhere, so please do ensure you seek medical advice from a professional.
@@JolleanSmith I’m feeling much better 😇 However I’m never ever eating squash again…Never ever never.. no no no
I'm a little confused, as bitter gourd is used medicinally in India. I'll have to look more into it
It really is a confusing subject. Made my brain hurt reading about it. From what I understand bitter gourds can become toxic too. A very high concentration of cucurbitacin in the cucurbit family can either make you sick or in some cases cause death. It is RARE. And from what I read it would be horribly bitter so most probably wouldn't eat it. The man that ate it and died had it disguised in a stew. I think what is key is the level of concentration these veggies hit. Most won't ever hit the toxic level, so some bitterness is fine. But it is a sign of stress or that it might not be edible, as in the case with some ornamental pumpkins. Hope that helps somewhat. Thanks for watching.
@@JolleanSmith I’ve ingested a yellow gourd and let me tell you it’s hell. I’m going through poisoning right now up all morning/night on the toilet. Could not move, throw up, blood, constipation, heart palpitations, nausea, intense abdominal pain, unable to eat or drink water without it coming out. No antidote for it and I’m on meds right now had to get 2 IM shots. My wbcs weren’t high enough to send me to the hospital where I would get fluids/proton pump inhibitors. I will not eat squash ever again!
@@ceoherohub2584 I am so sorry for your experience. I hope you recover soon. Thanks for affirming what I believe is true, that most people need to be aware of it. It might be rare but knowledge is power. Get well and thanks for commenting.
@@JolleanSmith Yes, cucurbitacins are no joke. it’s rare but I want to know the US poisoning statistics. Cause holy, I see myself as an very very healthy individual (not smart) who runs every day so I’m actually afraid of others and especially the elderly who could be exposed to this nasty abomination. 2 days of chronic pain no breaks.
I did googling and it’s not reassuring, the Lack of information. I didn’t think it was possible to make it to the hospital. I had help fortunately. So I’m ok. Do not ignore the bitterness anyone who read this.
@@ceoherohub2584 yes there is very little information on US impacts. Even the European incidents I could only find 3 but 3 very serious ones. But you nailed it, always taste test your squash and never eat bitter squash.
As I have zuchinni bread in oven!
Well the odds are very low. But I do taste test all my squash now!