Gourd Bitter Melon - Momordica charantia

Gourd Bitter Melon - Momordica charantia

Bitter Melon is a highly productive warm climate vine that produces distinctive cucumber like fruit with crunchy flesh and a characteristic bitter flavour. The vigorous vines produce plenty of fruit throughout the warm growing season, making this a great choice for adding to stir fries, curries and other savoury dishes.

Packet Quantity: 5 seeds

Planting Instructions

Sowing Time:
Spring and Summer. In warmer areas, sowing can extend into Autumn. Bitter Melon is frost sensitive and needs warm conditions to grow well.

Position:
Full sun in a warm, sheltered position. Provide a sturdy trellis or support for the climbing vines.

Soil:
Fertile, well drained soil enriched with plenty of organic matter such as compost or well rotted manure. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging.

Sowing Depth:
6 mm

Spacing:
45 cm between plants. Allow sufficient room for the vigorous vines to climb and spread.

Germination Time:
10 to 14 days. Keep the soil moist and warm during germination.

Harvest Time:
Approximately 12 weeks from sowing. Pick the fruit while still green or slightly yellow.

Growing Tips

Sow directly into the garden once the soil has warmed and the risk of frost has passed. Bitter Melon can also be started in pots or seed trays and transplanted carefully once established.

Provide a strong trellis, fence or other support before the vines begin vigorous growth. Training the vines vertically makes harvesting easier and keeps the developing fruit off the ground.

Feed plants every few weeks with a liquid fertiliser during active growth, particularly once flowering and fruiting begins.

Keep plants consistently watered during hot weather, especially while fruit is developing. Avoid allowing the soil to become waterlogged.

Harvest the fruit while it is young and green or just beginning to turn yellow. Regular picking encourages the plant to continue producing throughout the season.