Marvellous variety of white bitter gourd famous for its beauty and rich nutritional value. This stunning edible ornamental bears mild fruits with a refined flavor. Nutritionally potent and health promoting, easy and fast growing, bitter melon is identified as a key dietary staple contributing to the longevity and good health. This variety boasts a seed pulp with a superior flavor like sweet cherry candy. Thick fruits average 20-25cm long and weigh around 226g. Cut when thick and add to soups, stir-fries or shave thin and eaten raw. Matures in 55-65 days. Easy and fast to grow. Being a vining plant, it will require some stacking for support.
Companion Plants: Beans, corn, peas, pumpkins, and squash. Do not grow bitter melons with potatoes and herbs.
Growing: Bitter melons are a warm-season crop and are best suited for growing in tropical and subtropical heat and humidity. Grow bitter melons where daytime temperatures average between 75 and 80°F (24-31°C). Plant bitter melons in late spring or early summer. Sow seed outdoors or set out transplants no sooner than two to three weeks after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 60 to 65°F (15-18°C).
For better germination, pre-sprout seeds indoors by soaking in water for 24 hours or wrap in well moist paper towel and keep in a dark location for a few days until the seeds sprout. In cool climates, keep wrapped in a well moist paper towel warm between 24-29C (75-85°F). Once seeds germinate, they can be sown to their permanent growing place.
Soil: Prepare fertile, well-drained soil, compost-rich soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.7.
Depth: 1.2cm deep and 30cm apart. Sow two seeds in each hole. Seeds germinate in 8 to 10 days, though low and high temperatures and soil too dry or too wet can slow germination.
Vigorous plants trained on a trellis or fence can be spaced 9 to 10 feet (2.7-3 meters) apart. Trellising can reduce diseases and make harvesting easier. When the vine grows to the top of its trellis, prune or pinch away all lateral branches from the soil up to the 10th node. This will stimulate the upper branches to grow and produce a higher yield.
Light: Choose a warm, sunny location—at least 6 hours each day–to plant.
Moisture: Keep soil moist, but not wet. Keep bitter melon planting beds evenly moist; regular water is essential for fruit development and growth.
Fertilize as needed. Aged compost will feed melon plants. You can also add a slow release organic fertilizer such as 5-10-10 around plants early in the season.
Train to climb a vertical support for better air circulation and ease of harvest.
All our seeds are strictly Non-GMO, Untreated, Free of any possible harmful chemical compounds. All come from trusted and carefully selected small, non-commercial farmers worldwide that provide fresh, safe supply.*
