The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by Fremont LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sales.
Momordica sp. (Cucumber family) Oriental type bitter gourd that is less bitter than the Indian varieties. A very high yielding high quality hybrid. The plants are vigorous and early. Fruits are shiny light green with continuous attractive ribs and few bubbles. Fruits are 15 inches in length with blunt end and weighing up to 1.5 lbs.[1]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
Best Time To Plant Your Seedlings
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Soil Temperature | Soil | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun, 6 hrs/day | Above 60ยบ F | Compost rich, good drainage | Hot, humid |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Row Spacing | Time to Harvesting |
|---|---|---|
| 9 feet apart | 12 to 16 weeks after planting |
- Pollinating instructions: Vines commonly begin flowering about 5 to 6 weeks after planting. Male flowers open first, followed in a week or so by female blossoms. Both flowers are yellow. Female flowers have a swelling (the ovary) at the base of the bloom resembling a tiny melon. Bees and pollinating insects visit both blooms, transferring pollen from male to female flowers. Usually male blooms live only one day; they open in the morning and fall from the plant in the evening. Flower drop is not uncommon. [1]
- Trellising and pruning instructions: can reduce diseases and make harvesting easier. Place a trellis 6 feet high and wide or slightly more next to each plant. 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. Prune laterals from 2 to 3 feet long and prune away the growing tip when it reaches the top of the trellis. As a result, the plant will produce a greater number of flowers and fruit sooner. Fruit grown from a trellis will grow longer and straighter than those grown on the ground. [1]
- Additional Instructions: Keep fruit off the ground. If plants sprawl on the ground, place straw or mulch under plants to prevent fruits from resting on moist soil where they might rot. [1]
Common Pests and Diseases
- Pests: Spotted and striped cucumber beetles, bacterial wilt disease, fruit flies [2]
- Disease: Powdery and downy mildew, rusts, rots, watermelon mosaic virus, bacterial wilts [2]
Useful Resources
- https://www.seedsofindia.com/category/Edible-Gourds-Squash-and-Pumpkins-21
- https://harvesttotable.com/how-to-grow-bitter-melon/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.