[Ema]

I've just picked my first outdoor cuc it was a good 6inch long and plump however it was horribly bitter. Is it because of the weather? It's been watered daily. Should I pull up the whole plant?

[Springlands]

It would help if you could let us know what variety the cucumber is. In the meantime it is a possibility that it was the very plumpness of the cucumber that has made it bitter - most cucumbers need to be picked before they get too fat. Do not pull up the plant just make sure that you water the plants regularly and that you pick any future fruits before they get to big. 

[Swee'pea]

Also picking off the male flowers once the cucumber is seen behind the female stops it from turning bitter

[DD.]

Sorry Swee'pea, that's not quite correct.

A true outdoor (ridge) cucumber needs to be pollinated and so needs the male flowers. As Springlands has said, we really need to know the variety.

Ema, don't pull it up. Give it a chance. The first fruit is often not the best.

[lazza]

Is bitterness not sometimes related to cross-pollination also?

[Ema]

Well I've picked another 6 cucs all tastey 1 which managed to get 3 inches wide (it was hiding under a leaf) was even fine just a bit tough

[devonbarmygardener]

If the skin is tough it sounds like an outdoor type - I always peel those but the inside should taste just as nice as the indoor smooth types.